Intent

At Milstead & Frinsted C of E Primary School, our PSHE curriculum is deeply embedded in our ethos and mission to nurture and develop compassionate, resilient, and inquisitive individuals. We have chosen to adopt the 'Jigsaw' scheme of learning due to its holistic approach that prioritises the wellbeing of children and fosters a mindful environment. By centring on the experiences and emotions of the children, Jigsaw provides a cohesive framework that allows them to recognise their place within the community and understand the significance of their contributions to the wider world.

Implementation

The Jigsaw curriculum emphasises the development of emotional literacy, the cultivation of resilience, and the promotion of both mental and physical health. It effectively equips schools to deliver engaging, relevant, and age-appropriate PSHE education through a whole-school approach. Each lesson incorporates mindfulness practices that enhance children’s emotional awareness, concentration, and self-regulation. This mindful focus aligns seamlessly with our vision of being a compassionate community, ensuring that we grow not only as individuals but also as a collective.

Our ambition is to cultivate an environment where every member of our community can thrive. We are dedicated to learning together in a spirit of cooperation, ensuring that each child receives what they need to excel, thereby making the most of every opportunity available to them. Our aspiration echoes the biblical metaphor where Jesus blessed the food and multiplied it; similarly, we aim to foster growth—spiritually, emotionally, and academically—within our students.

Our commitment to the Christian values of Compassion, Stewardship, Inquiry, and Resilience underpins the entire PSHE curriculum. Each of these values enhances the curriculum's effectiveness by promoting a culture of empathy, responsibility, and inquisitiveness, which are essential for personal and social development.

The implementation of the Jigsaw 3-11 programme is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for Primary PSHE, incorporating the mandatory elements of Relationships and Health Education. The curriculum is spiralled and progressive, allowing children to engage with relevant learning experiences that prepare them to navigate the complexities of their world and to cultivate positive relationships with themselves and others. The curriculum is structured to begin with 'Being Me in My World' and progresses through 'Celebrating Differences', 'Changing Me', 'Dreams and Goals', 'Healthy Me', and 'Relationships'. This strategic sequencing ensures that each theme builds upon the last, reinforcing essential knowledge and skills.

Impact 

The impact of our PSHE curriculum is evident in the way children articulate the significance of Personal, Social, and Health Education as well as Religious Education, SMSC, and British Values. This understanding is manifest through pupil voice feedback, class display books, and contributions during whole-school assemblies. By equipping pupils with the knowledge to stay safe and healthy, and by nurturing their self-esteem, empathy, and resilience, our PSHE programme aims to dismantle barriers to learning, nurture aspirations, and elevate the life chances of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils.

Research has consistently demonstrated that the skills and attributes developed through effective PSHE education correlate with enhanced academic attainment, improved attendance rates, and increased employability. By the time children leave our school, they are empowered to become healthy, independent, and responsible members of society—fully prepared to engage with the moral, social, and cultural complexities of modern life. Our curriculum not only encourages pupils to appreciate their rights and responsibilities but also fosters an understanding of the importance of belonging to a diverse community, where their contributions are valued and celebrated.