Life Skills

Life Skills (PSHE)

At Whyteleafe Primary School, our Life Skills curriculum is designed to support every child to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and personally. Through a carefully planned programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to stay healthy, safe and prepared for life in modern Britain. This reflects the Department for Education's expectation that pupils are equipped to make safe, informed decisions and develop positive relationships, emotional wellbeing and resilience throughout their lives.

We follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme, a comprehensive, whole-school approach that combines PSHE, emotional literacy, mental health and wellbeing, social skills and relationship education within a progressive, spiral curriculum. Key themes are revisited and built upon year after year, enabling children to deepen their understanding and apply their learning in increasingly sophisticated ways as they move through the school. The programme includes six areas of learning: Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me. 

Our curriculum promotes the personal development of every child by helping them to become confident, respectful and responsible citizens. Children learn how to manage emotions, develop healthy relationships, celebrate diversity, understand their rights and responsibilities, make informed choices and recognise risks both online and offline. Through regular opportunities for discussion, reflection and collaboration, pupils develop confidence, resilience, empathy and independence, all of which are key aspects of successful personal development identified by Ofsted.

Mindfulness is embedded throughout the Jigsaw programme, helping children to regulate their emotions, improve their focus and develop strategies to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Lessons are engaging, age-appropriate and inclusive, ensuring that all pupils feel valued, heard and prepared for the opportunities and challenges of life beyond primary school.

Through our Life Skills curriculum, we aim to nurture caring, confident and resilient learners who understand their place in the world and are equipped to make a positive contribution to their communities and society.