• Christian Ethos Statement
• Admissions Policy
• Behaviour Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Curriculum Policy (including Special Needs and IT)
• PSHE and Citizenship Policy
• Educational Visits Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Child Protection Policy
• Safer Recruitment Policy
• First Aid Policy
• Disability and Non-Discrimination Policy
• Complaints Procedure

PSHE and Citizenship Policy

Introduction

This policy outlines the purpose, methods of delivery and content of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) & Citizenship. The approach to PSHE & Citizenship will always be informed by the Christian ethos that permeates the life of the school. PSHE & Citizenship is intended to reinforce habits of character, relational skills and the essential knowledge pupils need to lead stable, fulfilling, safe lives and become effective and responsible citizens.

Aims

The aims of our PSHE programme are:

• To identify, discuss and encourage pupils to develop numerous habits of character.
• To develop sensitivity to the impact of behaviour and words upon others and so learn to put others needs above one’s own.
• To form and maintain strong friendships.
• To encourage pupils to take an active role in society as future citizens.
• To develop a healthy lifestyle and keep themselves and others safe.

Embedded PSHE & Citizenship Education

We aim to embed our PSHE and citizenship education into the fabric of the school culture and curriculum. The most effective intervention into a child’s life to teach key life lessons and to help shape character does not lend itself to tidy lesson planning. It requires teachers to be alert to habits of character and ways of conducting relationships and to intervene wisely at just the right moment. PSHE and citizenship education is embedded into the life of the school in the following ways:

• Our Christian Ethos permeates the life of Heritage School, particularly the values that shape teacher expectations.
• A ‘habit of the week’ is identified as the focus of discussion and comment throughout that week(s). Teachers return to these habits in the classroom context repeatedly. They are also highlighted in assemblies.
• Assemblies are occasions when key values and beliefs are discussed and commended.
• Close monitoring of interactions between children, at playtime in particular.
• A discussion of core values arises naturally throughout the curriculum – as we discuss a book, Bible passage or episode in history, for example.
• Discussion of public institutions with which pupils must be familiar in order to be effective and responsible citizens will also be discussed across the curriculum (e.g. in history lessons or when reading literature).
• Community service: we regularly engage in community service activities as a way of teaching children to server others and the wider community.
• Field trips: outings are a regular feature of school life and provide opportunities to familiarise children with public institutions (e.g. the police and fire stations).

PSHE & Citizenship Lessons

PSHE and citizenship education lessons are timetabled weekly or fortnightly in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. In Years 3+ we aim to have a formal PSHE/Citizenship lesson once per half-term. These topics are detailed in our schemes of work.