"[At coombe Road] there is a culture of mutual respect and warmth throughout." Ofsted, 2023

Overview

Our curriculum lead for PSHE, RSE and SMSC is Mrs A Williams.

The importance of PSHE education in, for example, preventing bullying, prejudice, substance misuse, sexual exploitation, unplanned teenage pregnancy and in contributing to positive physical, emotional and mental health and healthy relationships is increasingly recognised in the UK and throughout Brighton and Hove. Therefore, at Coombe Road Primary School, PSHE education is a central part of our curriculum as it enables our children to build healthy friendships and relationships, and keep themselves safe now and in the future. We believe that effective PSHE education supports the teaching of behaviour for learning, and that it contributes to the wellbeing, safety and achievement of all pupils in our school.

PSHE education involves the development of knowledge and understanding skills, and provides opportunities to explore attitudes and values. It is delivered through the three core, inter-related themes of:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships
• Living in the wider world 

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education (DATE) and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural learning (SMSC) are delivered as part of these overlapping themes.

To read the statutory requirements for Relationships and Sex Education click here.

To read our PSHE and RSE policy, please visit our policies section.

As a school we have adapted the 'Jigsaw' scheme of work which closely follows Brighton & Hove's programme of study for PSHE. The content overview can be found below in the file list, which contains downloadable guides and where SMSC, RSE and British Values can be found in the curriculum:

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH & ECONOMIC EDUCATION (pshe) & RELATIONSHIPS & SEX EDUCATION (rse)

Through our PSHE curriculum we aim to enable pupils to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves safe, mentally & physically healthy and prepared for life as happy and responsible global citizens.

Our curriculum is built on the guidance from Brighton & Hove Agreed Syllabus, using the Jigsaw Scheme of Work. The curriculum is adapted so we can respond to and meet the needs of our pupils. We aim to nurture the emotional health of our pupils whilst also involving children in school citizenship.

Circle Time and 'reflection' is integral to our curriculum. This is a whole school approach where we aim to improve social skills, foster positive relationships, encourage positive behaviour and develop a caring and respectful school environment.

Consulting parents and carers

In April each year, we hold a consultation event on our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum and related teaching resources for all parents and carers. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to see what is taught, share any views and ask questions. RSE is always taught in the second half of the summer term and we tailor the 'Jigsaw' scheme of work to ensure that it is appropriate to a particular cohort.

Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children from the RSE curriculum that goes beyond the national curriculum for science and if you wish to do so, please contact the headteacher in writing.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education

At Coombe Road we strive to provide thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of our pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme and Religious Education Scheme of Work support our school to meet our statutory duties ‘to promote the well-being of pupils at the school’ and to ensure that we have a broad and balanced curriculum that:

• Promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school
• Prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

Our curriculum help children develop an understanding of their own social and cultural traditions, as well as those of others in other parts of the world and at other times. They develop an appreciation of the diversity and richness of their own and others' cultures.

Spiritual development

Children's spiritual development involves the growth of their sense of self. Our Religious Education lessons support their ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life. Educational visits to religious places and engaging with visitors from a wide range of faiths encourage their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.

Our curriculum engenders in pupils a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them through its focus on the use of imagination and creativity in their learning. Collaborative learning opportunities across the curriculum help children to develop a willingness to reflect on their learning and experiences.

Moral development

Children's moral development involves them recognising right and wrong, respecting the law and understanding consequences. Our Golden Values are central to this learning as is our promotion of 'empathy'. Regular Circle Time is conducted where the children are actively supported to explore the school’s Golden Values and promote the emotional literacy that underpins Coombe Road Primary School’s restorative approach to behaviour regulation. It also provides opportunities for children to offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues thus developing their ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is a prime area of the curriculum and therefore is always a key area of focus.

Social development

The development of social skills is central to the learning opportunities at Coombe Road.  Pupils are able to work and learn in all manner of collaborative groupings from adopting science officer roles, to solving context-based mathematical problems, competing together in House sports' competitions and training Playground Buddies. They develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Pupils acquire an understanding of the responsibilities and rights of being a member of society through:

• our House system,
• the development and adoption of class charters,
• following our Golden Values, our 'Eco' work,
• school council
• economic education - including Lloyd Bank volunteers (Financial Literacy)
• links with the local community e.g. Into University with University of Sussex, Albion in the Community, Lloyds Reading Volunteers, Visits from the Fire Service etc.
• engaging in national and local fundraising events e.g. Children in Need, Sport Relief

Cultural development

Our pupils’ cultural development is shown by their understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others. This is primarily learned through our exciting integrated topics that allow pupils to explore national curriculum objectives in fun and exciting ways. They participate in local, cultural events such as Let's Dance, the UK's largest celebration of youth dance, The Children's Parade as part of the Brighton Festival, Moulsecoomb's Heritage Festival, the annual Christmas production and numerous sporting opportunities both in school and outside.

Our curriculum fosters an interest in pupils exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity.