At Heathcote, our PSHE curriculum delivered through the Jigsaw programme is designed to develop the whole child - emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually. We aim to provide a mindful, progressive and inclusive curriculum that empowers pupils to understand themselves, value others, and navigate the world with confidence, empathy and resilience.
Through Jigsaw's six units, children learn to celebrate differences, set goals, stay healthy, manage feelings, build respectful relationships and understand changes as they grow. Mindfulness is woven throughout to support focus, wellbeing and resilience.
Running alongside our Jigsaw programme, Heathcote also teaches a Protective Behaviours curriculum to empower students with the skills and confidence needed to stay safe while embracing new experiences. Protective Behaviours promotes personal safety by helping children recognise their right to feel safe, while understanding that taking risks and having adventures is a valuable part of learning and growth. Through this curriculum, we foster resilience, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills, ensuring students can navigate challenges responsibly and assertively, while feeling empowered to speak out and seek help when needed.
At Heathcote, our intent is to equip every child with the knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive in school and in the wider world.
We deliver PSHE through the Jigsaw programme which provides a structured, whole-school approach from Early Years to Year 6. Learning is organised into six progressive units - Being Me in the World, Celebrating Differences, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, and Changing Me - ensuring consistency and clear progression.
Each lesson includes mindfulness practice to help children focus, regulate emotions and develop self-awareness. Teachers use a combination of discussion, stories, role-play, reflection and collaborative activities to make learning meaningful and age-appropriate. Jigsaw's spiral curriculum revisits key themes each year, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding as they mature.
PSHE is taught weekly and reinforced through assemblies, school values, behaviour expectations and wider curriculum links. We also celebrate and engage in National themes such as Anti-Bullying week, Show Racism the Red Card day, Safer Internet day and World Mental Health day.
Staff receive ongoing training to ensure high-quality delivery and sensitive topics - particularly with RSE - are taught with care, clarity and respect.
The impact of our PSHE curriculum is seen in pupils who are confidence, respectful and emotionally literate. Children demonstrate positive relationships, empathy and an understanding of diversity and inclusion. They can articulate their feelings, manage challenges and apply strategies for wellbeing and resilience.
Pupils show an age-appropriate understanding of how to stay safe, make healthy choices and seek help when needed. They develop a strong sense of identity, responsibility and citizenship contributing positively to school life and the wider community.
We evaluate impact through pupil voice, staff observations, class discussions, work samples and behaviour patterns. By the time they leave Heathcote, children are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in a diverse, ever-changing world.
