Personal Social and Health Education

     Personal, Health, Social and  Citizenship education enables children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. At Norwood Green Infant and Nursery School we aim are to encourage the children to:

• Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle;
• Be aware of safety issues;
• Understand what makes for good relationship with others;
• Have respect for others;
• Be independent and responsible members of the school community;
• Be positive and active members of a democratic society;
• Develop self confidence and self esteem, and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues;
• Develop good relationship with other members of the school and the wider community.

    Classes are organised in such a way that pupils are able to participate in discussion to resolve conflicts or set agreed classroom roles of behaviour. We offer the children the opportunity to hear visiting speakers, such as health workers, police, and representatives from the local area, whom we invite into the school to talk about their role in creating a positive and supportive local community. Visits to local amenities are also used to foster closer links with the community and support the curriculum.

   All lessons are conducted in a sensitive manner relating the content to the children themselves. PSHCE lends itself well to cross curricular activities e.g. when teaching about local environmental issues in Geography, we may offer pupils the opportunity to explore who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of local parks and cycle paths. Teachers also focus on issues through assemblies and whole school events, e.g. the school council representatives from each class in Key Stage 1 meet regularly to discuss school matters.                

   Topics covered throughout the school include: Self esteem; Relationships; Decision Making; Caring for the Environment; Healthy Lifestyles; Medicines and Drugs; and Bullying.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning

    Children learn to develop skills such as understanding another’s point of view, working in a group, sticking at things when they get difficult, resolving conflict and managing worries.

    At Norwood Green Infant and Nursery School the teaching of SEAL begins at Nursery and is continued throughout the school to Year 2. The SEAL curriculum is organised into seven themes: New Beginnings, Getting on and falling out, Say no to bullying, Going for goals! Good to be me, Relationships and Changes. Each theme is introduced to the children at key stage assemblies, discussed in classes during circle time and shared at celebratory assemblies. We ensure that all year groups follow the same theme in order to develop an ethos of understanding and well- being across the school.

The use of class displays, rules, friendship buddies, friendship tree, etc, further create opportunities for children to share their ideas and concerns.