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PSHE & SMSC
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Intent
Our intention is that when children leave Highfield, 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 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. Our curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of children as well as the mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. Our Relationships and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.
Implementation
In the Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals. Reception also uses follows the SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) framework in line with the rest of the school.
From Year One onwards, PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum, ensuring that we comprehensively cover the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance.
Pupils are taught PSHE using the SCARF framework, which is a spiral, progressive scheme of work, which aims to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world. There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health.
In addition to relationships education, we also teach aspects of sex education in our science curriculum. Alongside this we teach about different kinds of relationships, including same sex relationships, and gender identity, at an age appropriate level, because it is important that our children should have an understanding of the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain. The sex education aspects of PSHE are also taught through the SCARF resources.
PSHE is taught through six half termly themes with each year group studying the same unit at the same time (at their own level):
Autumn 1: Me and My Relationships – Includes feelings/emotions/conflict resolution/friendships
Autumn 2: Valuing Difference – Includes British Values focus
Spring 1: Keeping Myself Safe – Includes safe internet use, drugs and relationships education
Spring 2: Rights and Responsibilities – Includes money/living in the wider world/environment
Summer 1: Being My Best – Includes keeping healthy/Growth Mindset/goal setting/achievement
Summer 2: Growing and Changing – Includes RSE-related issues
It also identifies links to British Values, and SMSC and is taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of the school.
Wider Curriculum
- We believe that focusing on developing a 'Growth Mindset' in our children will help them to build resilience, independence and confidence; embrace challenge; foster a love of learning; and increase their level of happiness. We do this through the language we use in class, praising children for their efforts, and using language to encourage children to change their way of thinking. This supports both our school and PSHE aims and values, and we focus on ‘Growth Mindsets’ in all aspects of school life.
- PSHE, including SMSC and British Values, is an integral part of the whole school curriculum, and is therefore often taught within another subject area.
- Visitors such as the emergency services, safer internet workshops, HSBC projects and other medical professionals complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning.
- We encourage our pupils to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. We challenge all of our pupils to look for opportunities to show the school values of and this is shared during weekly celebration assemblies.
- Assemblies are linked to PSHE, British Values and SMSC and cover any additional sessions that would benefit the whole school.
- PSHE and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.
Impact
By the time our children leave our school they will:
- be able to approach a range of real-life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life
- be on their way to becoming healthy, open minded, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society
- appreciate difference and diversity
- recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty
- be able to understand and manage their emotions
- be able to look after their mental health and well-being
- be able to develop positive, healthy relationship with their peers both now and in the future.
- understand the physical aspects involved in RSE at an age-appropriate level
- have respect for themselves and others.
- have a positive self esteem
Further Information about SMSC
SMSC and British Values at Highfield
At Highfield, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is woven through everyday school life. We believe children should leave us not only with strong academic skills, but with the confidence, compassion and understanding needed to become thoughtful, responsible and active members of society.
Our curriculum, assemblies, pupil leadership opportunities, themed weeks and wider enrichment all help pupils explore who they are, understand others and develop a strong sense of belonging within our school, local community and the wider world. We are proud that pupils at Highfield don't just learn about values like democracy, respect and fairness - they live them. Many of the initiatives that define our school culture were created by the children themselves.
Spiritual Development
We support pupils' spiritual development by giving them regular opportunities to reflect, ask big questions and think deeply about themselves, others and the world around them. Children explore these questions through Religious Education, class discussions, daily assemblies, literature, art and moments of reflection, learning about different faiths, beliefs and worldviews with curiosity, respect and open-mindedness.
Our annual partnership with Coram's Life Tent brings interactive workshops to every class, and visits to places of worship across the school help children build genuine first-hand understanding. Whole-school celebrations such as our Diwali Disco, Eid Space and Chinese New Year dragon dance bring spiritual and cultural traditions to life for the whole community.
Moral Development
We help pupils develop a clear understanding of right and wrong, fairness, justice and responsibility, and to think carefully about how their choices affect others. Restorative conversations, reflection and our Zones of Regulation approach give children the tools and language to manage their emotions and make positive decisions, showing kindness, honesty, empathy and respect in their daily interactions.
Our annual Democracy Week is a highlight of the school calendar. Pupils form political parties based on values they believe in - not just policies - and campaign for votes across the school. Last year's winning party, the Super Citrines, campaigned on culture and representation, and have gone on to organise a Diwali Disco, a Talent Show and our upcoming East to West Fashion Fest. It is a powerful, lived example of how values can lead to real action.
Social Development
Pupil leadership is at the heart of life at Highfield. Our Year 6 Leadership Team meet every week at Leadership Breakfast, our Pupil Prime Minister delivers a weekly assembly segment, and our School Council meets monthly with every idea recorded in our Impact Journal so children can see their suggestions turn into action.
Through group work, pupil leadership roles, charity events, performances, sports, clubs and whole-school projects, pupils learn how to collaborate, communicate and take responsibility. Initiatives such as our gate-side positivity notes and our school uniform label station both began as pupil ideas - small but powerful evidence that every child's voice can make a difference. We also offer a wide range of child-led clubs and residential trips that build independence, teamwork and confidence.
Cultural Development
We are proud to celebrate the diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences within our school community. Pupils learn about local, national and global cultures through the curriculum and through special events across the year, including Black History Month, Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Democracy Week, World Food Festival and our East to West Fashion Fest.
Our curriculum includes diverse texts, visitors and learning experiences that help pupils see themselves represented and learn about the lives and experiences of others. We aim to develop pupils who are respectful, informed and confident when engaging with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Every child's wellbeing matters to us. Our full-time Family Liaison Officer provides daily support including friendship groups, resilience groups, social skills groups and access to a dedicated nurture room where children can take time to relax and regulate their emotions. All staff receive regular training in SEND, adaptive teaching and supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing, and our shared Zones of Regulation language helps children identify and manage how they feel.
Promoting British Values
We actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are embedded through our curriculum, assemblies, behaviour systems, pupil leadership opportunities and wider school experiences - not taught as abstract concepts, but experienced as part of daily life.
Democracy
Pupils learn about democracy by experiencing it in action. Through our School Council, Leadership Team, class discussions and votes, children learn that their voices matter and are listened to.
During our annual Democracy Week, pupils create manifestos, form parties based on shared values, hold debates and vote in a genuine election. These experiences help pupils understand participation, representation and responsible decision-making - and the impact lasts well beyond the week itself, with pupil-led events continuing throughout the year as a direct result.
The Rule of Law
Children are taught that rules and laws help to keep people safe, protect rights and create fairness. In school, pupils learn about rules through our behaviour expectations, class charters, assemblies and everyday routines, and understand why rules matter and what happens when they are not followed. Pupils also explore wider laws and responsibilities through PSHE, RE, online safety and safeguarding lessons.
Individual Liberty
We encourage pupils to make choices, express themselves and develop independence within a safe and supportive environment. Children learn that they have rights and freedoms, but also responsibilities. Through PSHE, pupil leadership, child-led clubs and classroom discussions, pupils learn to make informed choices and develop confidence in who they are, celebrating their individuality while understanding that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Mutual Respect
Respect is central to our school community. Pupils are taught to respect themselves, each other, adults, visitors and the wider community. We promote respectful language, positive relationships and thoughtful behaviour across school life, and children learn that everyone has value and that kindness, empathy and good manners help to build a safe and happy school.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We teach pupils to appreciate and respect people of all faiths, beliefs, cultures and backgrounds. Through Religious Education, assemblies, themed weeks, visits to places of worship, diverse texts and cultural celebrations, pupils learn about a wide range of traditions and viewpoints, and are encouraged to ask questions respectfully and understand that difference should be valued.
Our Commitment
SMSC development and British Values are not taught in isolation at Highfield. They are part of our daily culture and reflected in how we learn, lead, celebrate, debate, support one another and treat each other. Through our curriculum and wider school life, we aim to help every child become confident, respectful, responsible and ready to make a positive difference in the world - and at Highfield, that journey often starts with the children themselves.
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