Jigsaw PSHCE Curriculum

Frome Valley First School has always put the wellbeing and emotional security of the pupils at the heart of everything we do. Integral to our learning is the importance of promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of our children and continuing to develop these important skills through a wide range of activities. 

About Jigsaw PSHCE

In 2016, we have introduced the Jigsaw PSHCE curriculum at Frome Valley First School.  We are one of a number of schools who have opted to embed Jigsaw into our everyday school life. This is because we recognise the importance of children’s emotional health in relation to their ability to learn and achieve.

The Jigsaw resource brings together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in one comprehensive scheme. It is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. Each Puzzle is opened with a whole school assembly which brings the school together to focus on the theme.

There are 6 Puzzle Pieces in Jigsaw, that are designed to progress in sequence from September to July. 

The themes the children will cover are:

  • Autumn 1: Being Me In My World  
  • Autumn 2: Celebrating Differences (including Anti Bullying)
  • Spring 1: Dreams and Goals
  • Spring 2: Healthy Me (including Drug and Alcohol Education)
  • Summer 1: Relationships
  • Summer 2: Changing Me (including Sex Education
Each Puzzle has 6 "Pieces" which work towards an end product, for example the School Learning Charter or A Garden of Dreams and Goals. Each Piece has 2 Learning Intentions; 1 from the non statutory national framework for PSHE Education and 1 focusing on emotional literacy and social skills.
Jigsaw aims to ensure that PSHE lessons are relevant to children living in today's world and may include lessons on Internet Safety, Homophobic and Cyber Bullying and issues around body image, in some year groups
 
Each piece also contributes to one aspect of SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) education.

At the beginning of each Puzzle, Miss Carter teaches the Jigsaw song for the half term. We have really enjoyed learning these catchy tunes! 

Each week, we celebrate children who have been excellent Jigsaw citizens. These certificates are voted for by the children over the week, focusing on a specific aspect linked to the weekly Jigsaw piece. These are proudly displayed on our Jigsaw Certificate board and children are encouraged to show these to parents and celebrate their success. 

Emotional barometers

Each class has a system that allows children and staff to express how they are feeling during the day. The children really enjoy using their emotional checkers and all classes have regular ‘check in’ times to discuss how everyone is feeling.