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PSHE, Relationship and Health Education

At Hassocks Infant School, our intent is to nurture kind, confident and emotionally literate children who understand themselves, respect others and feel empowered to make positive choices. Through our PSHE curriculum, delivered using the Jigsaw scheme, we support children’s personal, social and emotional development so they are prepared for life in modern Britain.

PSHE is central to our school ethos and underpins wellbeing, behaviour and relationships across the school. We aim for every child to feel safe, valued and heard, and to develop the skills they need to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, understand their changing bodies and contribute positively to their community.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced from Reception to Year 2 and follows a spiral structure, allowing children to revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts such as identity, relationships, safety and health in an age-appropriate way. Through Jigsaw, children develop self-awareness, resilience, empathy and a strong sense of belonging, ensuring they leave us with firm foundations for lifelong wellbeing and learning.

Our Approach

We believe that our children’s Personal Development is a cornerstone of their ability to access learning across all areas of the curriculum. As such, we treat it as a core subject, giving it the time and careful consideration it needs to make a meaningful difference.

At Hassocks, we follow the Jigsaw curriculum. The Jigsaw Programme provides a comprehensive and carefully sequenced scheme of work, ensuring consistency and progression throughout our children’s learning in this vital curriculum area. It brings together Personal, Social and Health Education, emotional literacy, social and relationship skills as well as spiritual development.

Through this curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy, safe and emotionally resilient. Learning in this area also extends beyond discrete lessons and is reinforced through our safeguarding practices, behaviour policy, school vision, assemblies, and the wider life of our school.

Teaching Tools 

The curriculum is organised into six themes, with one theme taught each half-term. These themes are revisited in every year group, enabling children to deepen their understanding and build progressively on their learning in each area throughout their time with us.

Each theme is represented by a piece of a jigsaw (in the form of a teddy), giving children a clear visual representation of how the different aspects fit together to support their holistic wellbeing.

These areas are: 

  • Being Me in My World
  • Celebrating Difference 
  • Dreams and Goals
  • Healthy Me 
  • Relationships 
  • Changing Me 

 

Supporting All Children 

Jigsaw’s programme is designed to be inclusive and adaptable so that all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can access and benefit from PSHE and RSE learning. Lessons follow a predictable structure with visual supports and clear routines, and activities can be adapted to meet different communication styles and learning needs. Mindfulness practices, scaffolding discussions and resources help children regulate emotions, participate with confidence and feel connected, while teacher guidance and SEND-specific support ensure every learner is included and supported throughout their PSHE journey.

Our school is committed to inclusive practice so that all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or additional needs, can access learning and thrive socially and emotionally. We use a thoughtful graduated approach to identify and respond to individual needs, working closely with parents and specialists to remove barriers to learning and ensure full participation in school life. Every teacher is supported to adapt teaching so every child can make progress, build confidence and feel valued as part of our community. This inclusive ethos is reflected in our behaviour and SEND policies, which emphasise respect, support and high expectations for all learners.

Above and Beyond

At Hassocks Infant School we go above and beyond to ensure every child feels safe, happy and ready to learn. Our nurturing ethos encourages children to be confident individuals who explore, respect and flourish in a supportive community where personal growth is central to everything we do. Our core values — Be Safe, Be Ready and Be Respectful — are woven through daily school life and help children develop strong relationships, resilience and emotional understanding. Reward systems such as our “Hassocks Heroes” celebration promote positive behaviour, while teaching about healthy relationships, emotional literacy and respectful interactions ensures that wellbeing and social development are embedded in all aspects of school life.

Diversity

Jigsaw supports our school in teaching diversity by embedding learning about identity, difference and respect across the curriculum. Through units like Celebrating Difference, children explore similarities and differences, learn about equality and treating others with kindness, and understand how positive relationships are built on respect for a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This helps pupils develop empathy, challenge stereotypes, and build a school culture where every child feels valued and able to contribute to a diverse community.

 

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