At Ryhope Junior School, the teaching of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE including RSE) will enable our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We aim to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially and tackle moral and cultural issues that are part of growing up. The five ways to wellbeing are promoted and celebrated in our curriculum and our beautiful school environment.

We provide our children with opportunities to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. 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.

Intent

What are we trying to achieve through our curriculum…

Our intention is that when children leave Ryhope Junior School, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being.

Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Our Relationships and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

Implementation

How our curriculum is delivered…

As well as PSHE (including RSE) being taught weekly, we see all learning opportunities as a chance to make cross-curricular links at Ryhope Junior School. Our curriculum topics are also responsive and current depending on the needs of the class and events happening locally, nationally and globally.

Pupils will be taught a different topic of our PSHE curriculum as set out in our progression documents. The lessons are based upon the statutory requirements for Relationships and Health education. Lessons are planned to ensure that topics are inclusive and accessible to all.  PSHE is an important part of school celebration assemblies where children’s social, spiritual, moral and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged, nurtured and celebrated.  Assessment in this subject will be carried out by the class teacher using pupil’s engagement, involvement and oracy skills to indicate if knowledge and skills have been learned, applied and embedded.

In addition to the above, we enhance our PSHE (including RSE) curriculum by inviting in visitors and organisations such as The Dogs Trust, Father David from St. Paul’s (our local parish), our Community Police Officers and the school nurse from Sunderland and South Tyneside hospital. These professionals engage positively with our pupils and deliver important messages, information and values.

Impact

The difference our curriculum is making…

The impact of our PSHE (including RSE) curriculum is evidenced in high quality floor books, discussions with the children and through using teacher assessments. Cross curriculum links are highlighted and tracked using selected children’s books and a PSHE (including RSE) sticker. Lesson observations and discussions with pupils show that children are confident and able to talk about what they have learnt in PSHE (including RSE). Pupil voice and questionnaire responses also demonstrate that pupils are enthusiastic about this subject.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) 

In our school, we teach children about:

• The physical development of their bodies as they grow into adults;
• The way humans reproduce from an age-appropriate perspective;
• Ways of respecting their own bodies and the importance of a committed, long-term, and loving relationship;
• The importance of family life;
• Moral questions;
• Relationship issues;
• Respect for the views of other people;
• Any forms of abuse and what they should do if they are worried about any forms of relationship issues.

We teach about relationships in the context of the school’s aims and values. This includes an understanding that:

• Healthy relationships;
• RSE. is part of a wider process of social, personal, spiritual and moral education;
• Children should be taught to have respect for their own bodies;
• Children should learn about their responsibilities to others and be aware of the consequences of sexual activity;
• It is important to build positive relationships with others, involving trust and respect;
• Children need to learn the importance of self-control.

At Ryhope Junior School we have a SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development) team which promotes and leads wellbeing in our educational setting. 

Mrs. Lynn - Head Teacher

Mr. Storey - Deputy Head Teacher and SENDco.

Mr. Simpson - Computing Lead

Mrs. Arkley - PSHE Lead

Mrs. Robinson - PE Lead

Mrs. McDonald - Science Lead and Assistant SENDco

Mrs. Hargrave - Early Help Support

Miss. Lindsay - Support Assistant

Parental Responses to the introduction of RSE (parent consultation ):

"I agree that it is necessary as children are growing up too quickly."

"I don't want my child going to secondary school with misconceptions about sexual issues." 

"I like that I have been asked about this. It's important for my child to know about this. I try and support at home but would like it followed up at school."

Anti-Bullying Performance Poetry

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Young Achievers' Award Winners 

Wellbeing

Senior Mental Health Lead

Mrs Lynn is our Senior Mental Health Lead.  At Ryhope Junior School, we have an excellent, highly skilled and qualified staff team which support all children in our school, this includes dedicated teachers, support staff,  a Mental Health Lead, Early Help Worker and many more.

We liaise with a range of services to meet the needs of all children.  We work with additional agencies such as WINN, CAMHS and CYPS.  We offer a range of interventions on site, delivered by staff or play therapists to support children and families.

We have dedicated areas in school to support pupil and staff mental health and wellbeing. 

Five Ways to Wellbeing 

World Mental Health Day