Children will be able to express themselves openly and honestly in a safe environment. We encourage children to be curious about the world around them. They will be resilient when challenged and show kindness and understanding towards others.

Intent:

The intent of the PSHE curriculum at Knightwood is to provide a comprehensive and balanced education that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to navigate their lives, both now and in the future. The school intends to develop pupils who are emotionally resilient, socially responsible, and equipped to make informed decisions.

The PSHE curriculum aims to promote the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, enabling them to develop positive relationships, respect diversity, and understand their rights and responsibilities within the school community and wider society. It also seeks to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to lead healthy lifestyles, make safe choices, and manage risks effectively.

Our curriculum is designed to reflect the values of our school, which are kindness, curiosity and resilience and our three school rules: ready, respectful, safe. It also reflects British values and actively teaches the Equality Act.

Implementation:

The implementation of the PSHE curriculum at Knightwood School is carefully planned, sequenced, and differentiated to meet the needs of all pupils. The school ensures that PSHE is taught through a spiral curriculum approach, building on prior knowledge and skills to deepen understanding and application.

Curriculum Design: The PSHE curriculum is designed to address the statutory requirements and reflects the needs and circumstances of the pupils in the school. It covers three core themes:

1. Health and Wellbeing: Promoting physical and mental health, healthy relationships, and the understanding of risk-taking behaviours.

2. Relationships: Developing and maintaining healthy relationships, including friendships, family relationships, and respectful relationships.

3. Living in the Wider World: Preparing pupils to play an active role as responsible citizens in society, including understanding personal finance, employability skills, and global issues.

These units have been arranged into what we call pathways which ensure progression. 

Learning Opportunities: PSHE is delivered through a range of learning opportunities, including timetabled lessons (weekly with a new unit each half-term), assemblies, cross-curricular links, and extracurricular activities. This ensures a holistic approach to the subject, embedding its principles across the wider curriculum and fostering the school's values.

Teaching strategies: Teachers employ a variety of teaching strategies that cater to different learning styles and abilities. These strategies include active learning, group work, discussion, role-play, case studies, and the use of technology. Opportunities for real-life experiences and visits from external agencies are also incorporated to enhance understanding and engagement.

Continuing Professional Development: Staff are provided with regular opportunities for professional development in PSHE. This ensures they have the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver engaging and age-appropriate lessons. Staff collaborate and share best practices, keeping up-to-date with current research and approaches.

RHSE objectives are mapped out alongside PHSE units and are also covered in computing and science. These are explicit on plans and pathway flipcharts.

Intent: 

Assessment and Feedback: The impact of the Knightwood PSHE curriculum is reflected in the attitudes, knowledge, and skills developed by pupils throughout their time here. 

Positive Personal Development: Pupils demonstrate emotional resilience, self-awareness, and empathy towards others. They develop strategies to manage their emotions, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Improved Health and Wellbeing: Pupils develop the knowledge and skills to make informed choices regarding their physical and mental health. They demonstrate an understanding of healthy lifestyles, exercise, nutrition, and the risks associated with substance misuse or unsafe behaviours.

Enhanced Relationships: Pupils develop and maintain positive relationships, both within the school community and in wider society. They exhibit respect, empathy, and tolerance towards others, valuing diversity and challenging discrimination.

Preparedness for the Wider World: Pupils acquire essential skills and knowledge to navigate their future successfully. They understand the world of work, financial management, and the opportunities and challenges within their local and global communities.

Successful Transition to Secondary School: Pupils are equipped with the necessary skills, resilience, and emotional intelligence required for a successful transition to secondary education. They feel prepared and confident to face new challenges.

Impact:

The impact of the Knightwood PSHE curriculum is holistically evidenced through the children’s attitudes, continuous development, behaviour and engagement and interaction with their peers, school and the wider community. 

Regular and ongoing evaluation measures the effectiveness of the curriculum in achieving its intended outcomes. The school employs a range of formative and summative assessment strategies to assess pupils' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Feedback is provided to pupils to enable them to reflect on their progress and areas for development. Assessments also inform planning, ensuring the curriculum remains responsive and relevant.