What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC.

Spiritual

Explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.

Moral

Recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.

Social 

Use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.

Cultural

Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

Use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.

Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) At Goldenhill Primary Academy.

At Goldenhill Primary Academy we use Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, which brings together Personal, Social, Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. A lesson a week helps teachers to focus on their children’s needs and to enjoy building the relationship with their class, getting to know them better as unique human beings.

Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike.

Mindfulness

How would children and their learning benefit if they could be aware of their thoughts and feelings as they happen, in the present moment, on purpose with no judgement? This is what mindfulness means. How could being mindful help to address the emotional health and behaviour issues so often acting as barriers to learning?

 Mindfulness:

 In Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, mindfulness is developed in 3 main ways:

a) through the ‘Calm Me’ time in each Piece (lesson). This consists of breathing techniques, awareness exercises and visualisations, enabling children not to empty their minds but to quiet them and become aware of the activity within them and manage it positively

b) through the taught curriculum. Lessons (Pieces) help children to explore their thoughts and feelings, to expand their emotional vocabulary, explore thoughts-feelings-consequence sequences, build their confidence and express themselves in a safe environment.

c) through the ‘Pause Points’ in lessons (Pieces) which ask children to ‘Stop and look inside’ to practise observing their thoughts and feelings relating to what they are learning about in that lesson. Jigsaw Jerrie Cat is introduced in the first Puzzle (Being Me in My World) through 2 whole-school assemblies and acts as the trigger for PAUSE POINTS in lessons (the teacher using Jerrie Cat’s Paws, to symbolise the Pause Point for children).

The Six Puzzles (Themes/ Units of work)

There are six Puzzles in Jigsaw that are designed to progress in sequence from the start of each academic year: Term 1: Being Me in My World Term 2: Celebrating Difference (including anti-bullying) Term 3: Dreams and Goals Term 4: Healthy Me Term 5: Relationships Term 6: Changing Me (including Sex Education).

Each Puzzle has six Pieces (lessons) which work towards an ‘end product’, for example, The School Learning Charter or The Garden of Dreams and Goals. Each Piece has two Learning Intentions: one is based on specific PSHE learning (purple) and one is based on emotional literacy and social skills development (green). 

If you wish to access some of our Jigsaw PSHE planning/resources per term please email Miss Pitt at office@goldenhillprimary.org.uk for a parent access code.