PSHE and RE

All children at St Ives School study Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

The Personal and Social programme has links to the Social and Emotional Aspects of Development (SEAD) documents in order to develop a breadth of social and emotional skills and understandings. It helps children to develop good social skills in order to help them form happy, supportive friendships, and to prevent and tackle bullying. It helps the children to set goals and find practical ways of achieving these. It teaches the children how to face change and new challenges. Critically, the PSHE programme promotes high self-esteem and a sense of pride in the children, whatever their gifts and abilities - because ultimately, the children’s happiness and wellbeing are the school’s top priorities. However, in addition to this more traditional PSHE work, the St Ives PSHE programme also focuses on British Values, including individual liberty, tolerance, and the rule of law and democracy, as well as topics such as diversity, safety, economic wellbeing, mental health and mindfulness. Underpinning the PSHE curriculum is the concept of Growth Mindset – promoting resilience, perseverance and a positive approach to learning and personal development.

RSE (Relationships and Sex Education)

RSE is taught in conjunction with the Personal, Social and Health education (PSHE), Science and Computing curriculum.

Relationships’ education focuses on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships including: 

• Families and people who care for me 
• Caring friendships 
• Respectful relationships 
• Online relationships 
• Being safe 

Year 6 children receive statutory sex education lessons in Science, covering sexual reproduction and puberty. Non-statutory sex education is also woven into the curriculum at an age appropriate level and covers peer pressure, body image, sexuality, and gender issues by the end of Year 6.

All children at St Ives School study Religious Education (RE).

The Religious Education programme reflects the major world religions and promotes understanding of, and respect for, a variety of cultures and belief systems. This supports the key British Value of tolerance. A different element of Christianity is explored every year, but each year group also learns about a different world religion in depth – including Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. This in-depth study will explore everything from core beliefs, key figures and teachings, to places of worship, daily life and celebrations. In addition, each year group will examine how different world religions approach certain aspects of religious life – such as worship, festivals and the story of creation.