Relationships, Social, Health and Citizenship Education
Intent
At Summerlea CP School, we believe that in order for our children to reach their potential, as well as face the challenges of an increasingly complex society, they need to be taught the knowledge and skills to stay safe and healthy, as well as how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way. Our RSHCE curriculum is the starting point for lifelong learning where children will learn how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and become active citizens, responsibly participating in society around them. We aim for the children in our school to acquire the appropriate knowledge, develop their skills and form positive beliefs, values and attitudes which will enable them to develop as active, confident members of the community.
Implementation
We use the Kapow Education’s planning materials as the basis of our RSHCE curriculum. These are designed to be taught in thematic units, which consist of five half-termly blocks: Family and Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship, Economic Wellbeing. Year Six are taught an additional sixth block titled ‘Identity’. Relationships and Sex Education statutory content is covered through ‘Safety and the Changing Body’ and ‘Family and Relationships’ units. Each block builds upon previous learning and introduces new learning that is appropriate for the age and stage of the children. Our RSHCE programme meets the statutory requirements as well as our school’s ethos of providing all children with a broad and balanced curriculum that reaches beyond statutory content. It allows teachers the freedom to implement and adapt lessons based on the needs of their children while meeting the requirements of our curriculum. Lessons are taught by class teachers so that discussions about sensitive topics can be facilitated in a safe and secure environment. However, where appropriate, we will invite external providers, such as the NSPCC, into school to deepen the children’s learning experience. In conjunction with the above, we believe it is essential for parents and carers to be fully informed in advance of the topics that are being covered in their child’s class so that they are prepared to continue the learning at home.
Our curriculum is clearly mapped out in our Progression of Skills document and links are made to other areas of learning where appropriate. Progress is monitored through the use of concept maps at the beginning and the end of a topic. Monitoring of children’s progress by the subject leader is conducted regularly and triangulates recorded evidence with lesson observations and pupil interviews. Additionally, the subject leader meets regularly with the link governor for RSHCE.
Impact
Our curriculum enables children to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. RSHCE supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing. Our children are given the skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them. They apply their understanding and appreciation of our diverse society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part. This provides an essential foundation from which they can move into the next stage of their education and beyond.
To view our RSHCE curriculum, click here.