At Avon House Preparatory School, the emotional development and wellbeing of a pupil is centred around our RPS (RE, PSHEE and RHSE) curriculum. Our School provides opportunity for every pupil to reach their full potential as part of ‘Learning for life’.
RPS is taught discretely, weekly, in Years 1 to 6 and also through cross-curricular activities and discussion in other subject areas. All staff are responsible for the teaching of RE, PSHEE and RHSE and many topics are covered in assemblies, trips, themed days, council meetings, house events, having visitors in school and through use of our reward system and so on.
Years 1 to 6 largely follow the Jigsaw mindful approach to PHSEE and RHSE. This resource aims to develop the underpinning qualities and skills that help promote positive behaviour and effective learning. The materials help pupils develop skills such as understanding another’s point of view, building positive relationships, working in a group, resilience and perseverance when things get difficult, resolving conflict and managing worries. The aim is to help pupils grow and develop ready for the wider community and world. In Early Years, RPS is embedded within their curriculum of understanding the world around them; they do this through a range of practical activities including role-play, storytelling, discussion and so on.
Within the tailored spiral RHSE (Relationships, health and sex education) curriculum, the foundations leading to sex education are taught delicately from Early Years to Year 4 inclusive. In Early Years, pupils begin to learn about themselves and how they are different to others. In Years 1 and 2, pupils will learn the scientific names for the male and female external body parts and understand the need for privacy. Year 3 learn about external body parts and how they are beginning to change as well as emotions felt when they are around babies. Year 4 extend to internal body parts, puberty and menstruation as part of the science and health education curriculum of ‘The changing adolescent body’. Years 5 and 6 receive more formal sex education to prepare them for statutory content at secondary school. They cover puberty and emotions, reproduction including sexual intercourse and conception, birth and the developing baby as well as exploring gender roles and differences. All year groups will discuss different family set ups and relationships as part of their growing understanding of modern life.
RE is also incorporated into the RPS curriculum. RE is vital for the development of a reflective and positive attitude to learning coupled with a respect for the beliefs and values of others around us and in our community. At Avon House Preparatory School, we largely follow the Jigsaw curriculum where material used aims to help promote an awareness of spiritual and moral issues, a deeper knowledge and understanding of major religions, a commitment to reflecting on own experience and an appreciation and respect for cultural differences and diversity in society.
Having dedicated slots for RPS weekly means that pupils’ development in SMSC (spiritual, moral, social, cultural understanding) can be met to ensure they grow into well-rounded, positive members of a multicultural society.
‘’ Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as responsible, tolerant and law-abiding citizens.’’ – ISA inspection report February 2020.
