Subject Leader: Mrs Penberthy (maternity leave) - covered by Mrs Wreford

Curriculum Intent

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is taught to enable pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. 

At Meadlands we follow a whole school Mindfulness approach delivered by our Senior Mental Health Lead, Mrs Chapman. Studying Mindfulness has many benefits including:

• a reduction in stress and anxiety
• a reduction in the sense of task and time pressure
• an improved ability to manage thoughts and behaviour
• an increase in coping skills, motivation, planning and problem solving
• an increase in self-compassion and self-care

At Meadlands, we are continually developing our PSHE programme to respond to current challenges that children face, in order to build resilience and an understanding of ourselves and of our relationships with others, including relationships online. Our school values are also threaded through the curriculum. 

Curriculum Implementation

Our PSHE curriculum has three strands which are taught for a term each:

1. Well-being (self)

Understanding and managing emotions, understanding that a range of emotions is normal, self-esteem and what can affect that, taking care of yourself (personal care and care for others), understanding mental health and anxiety, exploring resilience, belonging, identity.

2. Relationships (others)

Friendships, families, boundaries, consent, online behaviours and relationships.

3. Mindfulness

The Present (3-12) (taught by our Mental Health Lead: Mrs Chapman)

The Present is a spiral curriculum for children aged 3-12 and the adults working with them, developed by a school teacher (Tabitha Sawyer), a neuroscientist (Dusana Dorjee) and a mindfulness teacher/trainer (Sarah Silverton).

The learning is introduced through neuroscience stories, activities, exercises and practices, with an emphasis is on living more mindfully than learning to meditate; being more mindful rather than doing mindfulness. The learning can be woven through all aspects of life in school, including opportunities to offer it within teaching regular lessons, so designed for teachers within schools to deliver (although visiting teachers can also offer this curriculum as it is first introduced into a school).

The curriculum offers a clear programme to deliver (seven themes and four opportunities) at school with lots of “getting started” content in the materials, but there is encouragement for teachers and children to be creative and tailor the programme to suit the situation and context. The programme can easily be continued beyond the initial 14 weeks.

The learning builds children’s resources (e.g., resilience, self-care/self-management, focus, decision-making and connection). It invites children to practice mindfulness in school, at home and in other areas of their lives, supporting them to flourish and manage difficulties more skilfully.

School Values lessons

Every year group has 2-5 school values threaded through the PSHE curriculum. These lessons are an opportunity to explore our school values in more details and for the children to understand how they can demonstrate our values. School value certificates are presented at our achievement assemblies every Friday morning. 

Curriculum Impact

• Improved Wellbeing and Emotional Literacy: 

  Children learn to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others, developing healthy coping strategies, mindfulness, and stress-management techniques. 

• Development of Social and Life Skills: 

  The curriculum builds essential skills in communication, resilience, and responsible decision-making, preparing students for relationships and challenges in a diverse and complex world. 

• Enhanced Academic Performance and Attendance: 

  Research shows that a well-implemented PSHE program can lead to increased academic achievement and better attendance rates, particularly among vulnerable pupils. 

• Preparation for Adult Life and Employability: 

  PSHE provides foundational knowledge and skills for managing personal finances, time, and navigating relationships, which are essential for higher education and the graduate labour market. 

• Promotion of Social Responsibility: 

  The curriculum fosters an appreciation for diversity, rights, and responsibilities, encouraging students to become active, responsible, and empathetic citizens. 

• Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy: 

  Students develop the ability to critically manage online influences, evaluate information, and become more vigilant and questioning in their approach to the world. 

• Breaking Down Stigma: 

  PSHE offers a safe space to discuss sensitive issues like mental health, helping to break down stigma and encouraging students to seek help when needed.