At Highfields Spencer Academy we recognise the value of PSHE as it enables our children to develop knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, both in the present and in the future. We use the scheme ‘Jigsaw’ to teach our PSHE curriculum which includes Relationships, Health and Sex Education.
The Jigsaw Scheme
At Highfields Spencer Academy we use the Jigsaw scheme of work for the planning and delivery of PSHE. The programme of study is adapted to provide a relevant and age appropriate curriculum. Jigsaw is designed as a spiralling whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (puzzle piece) at the same time.
There are six Puzzles in Jigsaw that are designed to progress in sequence from September to July. Each Puzzle has six Pieces (lessons) which work towards an ‘end product’.
Each Piece has two Learning Intentions: one is based on specific PSHE learning and one is based on emotional literacy and social skills development to enhance children’s emotional and mental health. Every Piece contributes to at least one of these aspects of children’s development. This is mapped on each Piece and balanced across each year group.
Mindfulness is at the heart of the Jigsaw scheme and each session starts with a mindfulness activity to ensure children are ready for learning.
Have a further look at the scheme by heading to their website for more information: https://www.jigsawpshe.com/
Each piece of the jigsaw (themes taught)
| Term | Puzzle name | Content |
| Autumn 1: | Being Me in My World | Includes understanding my place in the class, school and global community as well as devising Learning Charters |
| Autumn 2: | Celebrating Difference | Includes anti-bullying (cyber and homophobic bullying included) and diversity work |
| Spring 1: | Dreams and Goals | Includes goal-setting, aspirations, working together to design and organise fund-raising events |
| Spring 2: | Healthy Me | Includes drugs and alcohol education, self-esteem and confidence as well as healthy lifestyle choices |
| Summer 1: | Relationships | Includes understanding friendship, family and other relationships, conflict resolution and communication skills in Relationship Education |
| Summer 2: | Changing Me | Includes Relationships and Sex Education in the context of looking at change* |
For a more detailed look at what will be taught within each year group click here.
If you have any queries or questions about what is taught, please speak to your child’s teacher who will be happy to help.
RSE
In September 2020 Relationships and Health Education became statutory in Primary Schools. At Highfields we teach this through our PSHE sessions (please note at Highfields this will include sex education which is taught in an age-appropriate way through a combination of Science and PSHE lessons) and we feel that it is important to prepare children to be able to name body parts, build healthy friendships and relationships, prepare them for the changes their body is going to go through as they reach and move through puberty in a respectful and age/maturity appropriate way and keep themselves safe from harm. It is important for us to work together, school and parent to support the emotional and physical changes a child will go through on their journey to adulthood, preparing them to be respectful to others and able to speak about any worries or questions they may have to a professional person or parent rather than relying on peers or social media which can sometimes be very misleading and in certain cases harmful. Some themes will not be discussed until pupils reach secondary school, so we feel it is important that parents are aware of our approach, the content and way we will teach these sensitive issues at our school so that they can be prepared to support their child at home on a primary school level.
We have prepared the materials below and shared these with parents as part of our consultation in July 2021.
You will find below our PSHE (including RSE) policy, Jigsaw guide for parents on PSHE and RSE, the statutory framework from the DfE on RSHE and information letter and powerpoint for our consultation for parents plus a parent survey.
Parents will be invited in annually to take part in a workshop about PSHE and RSE so that they are aware of what their child will be learning in the Changing Me unit. This will take place in Summer term 1 ready for the children to complete this JIGSAW puzzle piece in Summer 2.
Information will also be sent home via Class Dojo and class newsletters including information for parents in Years 4, 5 and 6 on their right to withdraw their child from specific aspects of the PSHE unit.
Please see the links below for more information.