PSHE Intent Statement

At Therfield First School we value PSHE to support our pupils in becoming healthy, independent, responsible and productive members of society. PSHE provides our pupils with the tools to successfully navigate through life's challenges. We recognise the importance of teaching Mindfulness in order to have a positive impact on pupil mental health and wellbeing.

Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. As pupils progress, we equip them with the skills to become an active and responsible member of a global society.

PSHE at Therfield First School

Across the school, we use Jigsaw as the core scheme to teach our PSHE curriculum.  Jigsaw is a mindful approach to PSHE which embodies a positive philosophy and creative teaching to nurture children to become compassionate and well-rounded.  Jigsaw has two main aims for children:

• To build their capacity for learning
• to equip them for life

Jigsaw brings together PSHE education, compulsory Relationships and Health Education, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development.   

The scheme is designed as a whole school approach, with all classes working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time.  There are six Puzzles (half term units of work) and each class is taught one lesson per week.  All lessons are delivered in an age and stage-appropriate way so that they meet all of our young children's needs.  The six themes/Puzzels are:

• Being Me in My World
• Celebrating Difference
• Dreams and Goals
• Healthy Me
• Relationships
• Changing Me

Each half term, the Jigsaw theme/Puzzle is used as the overarching umbrella theme for our weekly whole school, values-led assemblies.  During an assembly, the Headteacher introduces the Jigsaw theme at the beginning of each half term, which includes introducing the catchy half term song.  Each week, the Headteacher leads two whole-school assemblies, using a story book as the stimulus, to further discuss and explore values linked to the half term Jigsaw theme/Puzzle.  The assemblies also make particular reference to important themes within the Relationship and Health Education curriculum, i.e. anti-bullying, staying safe online, consent, healthy relationships and understanding body boundaries.  

Weekly PSHE lessons aim to support our young pupils to be prepared for life, helping them to really know who they are and to understand how they relate to other people in our ever-changing world.  Each year group has a Jigsaw Friend (jigsaw-shaped soft toy), Jigsaw Chime and Jigsaw Jerrie Cat (used to help and encourage calming and mindfulness practice).​​​​​​​