'Everyone of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves'

Princess Diana

Our intention is that when children leave St Joseph's, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being.

Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. Our Relationships and Health Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

What does PSHE stand for? 

PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. 

As a subject, PSHE aims to provide children with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves happy, healthy and safe, as well as to prepare them for life and work. PSHE aims to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives.

Aims of the PSHE curriculum

Navigating our complex world can be challenging, and parents and teachers play an essential role in preparing children for the future. As such, PSHE aims to equip pupils to:

• take individual responsibility for their physical and mental wellbeing;

• understand the risks of drugs and alcohol and how to stay safe online;

• develop resilience, independence and responsibility;

• develop the personal and social skills required to succeed in commerce and industry;

• identify misleading information and be critical of misleading news or views they might encounter.

For more information on your child's topics, please take a look at our long term plans below in APPENDIX 1.

PSHE at St Joseph’s

PSHE can be covered through a range of subjects taught: our weekly My Happy Mind sessions; our weekly RHE sessions; our half termly PolEd sessions, our half termly online safety sessions and through other areas of the curriculum such as Computing and Science. PSHE is also taught throughout less formal opportunities, such as assemblies, themed weeks/days such as Anti Bullying week, Children’s Mental Health Week, Black History week, World Earth day and Safer Internet day. 

As part of the Early Years statutory framework, one of the prime areas of learning in Reception is Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED). This is broken down into three further areas: Self-Regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships. Children are expected to meet the early learning goal in each of these areas by the end of Reception. Staff will teach PSED through various planned lessons including ‘settling in’, ‘meeting the staff’, ‘all about me' and ‘managing feelings and behaviour’. Staff teach PSED through daily incidental 1:1 and group opportunities including restorative conversations about behaviour and choices where necessary. Pupils also have weekly My Happy Mind  and RHE sessions and half termly online safety and Pol Ed sessions to further develop this prime area of learning.

Pupils in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two begin the Year using activities from the Leader in Me’s ‘First 8 days’ to ensure clear routines and expectations are set in order to have a good start to the school year. The following weekly sessions will include activities and discussions linked around the themes from 'My Happy Mind'. Our full curriculum Intent can be found below.  Pupils will also have weekly RHE sessions taken from programme called ‘Life to the full’.  Each term, every year group will have a different focus from Pol Ed to look at to help them develop their understanding of risks, consequences and the law and to develop their resilience and ability to help and support each other. Pupils will also have a half termly 'Online Safety' lesson to support pupils in using technology safely as well as keeping themselves and others safe online.

Curriculum Impact for PSHE

The impact of the PSHE curriculum is monitored in various ways. Pupil voice shows that pupils can articulate the 7 habits well and say how these have impacted their day to day life. We want all our pupils to recognise themselves as leaders and know how to be successful leaders. Monitoring of floor books show that pupils can engage and discuss with others key issues linked to their learning and everyday life. The various monitoring activities that have taken place for PSHE show that pupils at St Joseph's thoroughly enjoy the subject and take great pride in their work. 

Long term planning for PSHE and RHE

PSHE Long Term Plan

My Happy Mind 

We are delighted to begin our My Happy Mind journey in September 2024 to support the children's mental health and wellbeing as well as deliver some of our PSHE curriculum.

myHappymind is an award winning program for schools and nurseries, families and organisations. It teaches preventative habits that support mental health, resilience and self-esteem. All the concepts that are taught are based on science and research and grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology. myHappymind is commissioned by the NHS. 

Please see below for more details regarding this new resource we are using as well as keeping up to date on ClassDojo for any more information:

My Happy Mind Introduction