PSHE + P4C
Our intention is that children should leave HHS 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 set their mind to it and try their best. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of the different factors that will affect their lives and that they learn how to deal with these factors successfully for their future mental health and well-being.
Our PSHE Curriculum covers the three core themes of Health & Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. Weekly PSHE lessons develop knowledge and skills which enable the children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be citizens now and in their future roles within a global community. Our approach to teaching PSHE is intended to support and encourage all learners to be the very best they can be and the core values discussed in these lessons are embedded throughout the curriculum including Year Group and Whole School assemblies. We place a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health through the delivery of a programme of engaging and relevant PSHE lessons. The Curriculum promotes the moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Our PSHE curriculum incorporates an age-appropriate understanding of RSE, as set out in the statutory guidance, enabling all children to be safe and to understand and develop healthy relationships both now and for the future. We also promote and practise mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus. Our approach aims to develop the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society and the global community.
P4C was introduced at HHS to develop and extend the children’s thinking and discussion skills. It promotes a forum for open dialogue in which the children are not content to just exchange ideas and opinions as if they were bits of information, but to ask questions, think through arguments and explore alternatives. The P4C topics make direct links to our PSHE and SMSc curriculums and facilitate child-led lessons.
The delivery of P4C and successful learning outcomes are accredited and recognised by SAPERE.
P4C builds higher order thinking, questioning, speaking and listening skills and these are incorporated into the PSHE curriculum where at least 3 out of 6 lessons each half term are stand-alone P4C enquiries. These sessions allow every child to speak freely, without feeling pressure, in an inclusive and nurturing environment. Children can voice their opinions and listen to their peers in a structured way, this increases their confidence when speaking in front of a group and affords them the opportunity to agree and politely disagree with another child’s viewpoint. This builds respect and encourages children to become more critical thinkers. Pupils learn the skills to be clear in their thinking to explain their ideas, give good reasons for their views and develop their vocabulary. It teaches patience, respect for others and a better understanding of the world around them. P4C creates an enquiring classroom, promoting independent learning, questioning and reasoning, improved social skills, impacting across all areas of the curriculum and school.