PSHE education is a subject through which children develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life and work. Jigsaw PSHE brings together Personal, Social, Health and Economic education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a lesson-a-week programme. Designed as a whole school approach, Jigsaw provides a comprehensive scheme of learning for Foundation Stage to Year 6. It actively promotes and teaches the five core British Values within it – Democracy; Rule of law; Individual liberty; Mutual respect; Tolerance. Jigsaw holds children at its heart and its cohesive vision helps children understand and value who they are and how they fit and contribute to the world.

We know that real learning happens over time, in connected, spiral learning, not in one-off lessons. That’s why every Jigsaw programme is built as a progressive spiral curriculum. We revisit key topics, like identity, friendships, change, and wellbeing, at developmentally appropriate stages, deepening understanding, and building resilience year after year. It’s a structure that helps children join the dots and piece their world together. And it’s one that gives teachers confidence, consistency, and clarity when planning across year groups. Each half-term delves deeply into one of the following areas and this planning is followed from the Early Years and throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at age appropriate, developing levels, building upon prior knowledge, skills and vocabulary. The 6 areas include: Me In My World; Celebrating Difference; Dreams and Goals; Healthy Me; Relationships; Changing Me.

Our approach to PSHE has mindfulness at its core. Emotional regulation is a life skill, and it’s one that can be taught, with care, consistency and practice. Mindfulness is foundational to the Jigsaw philosophy. From ‘Calm Me’ time to visualisation exercises, lessons help children pause, notice their thoughts and feelings, and choose how to respond. It’s simple, powerful, and proven to make a difference.

The approach is also designed for inclusion and committed to belonging, two aspects which echo throughout our Orchard Grove values. Every child deserves to feel represented, respected and valued in their learning. The resources we use reflect a wide range of cultures, identities and lived experiences, so that children can see themselves, and others, with understanding and empathy. Whether it’s the stories we tell, the characters we introduce, or the questions we ask, inclusion isn’t an add-on at within our PSHE learning, It’s part of the foundation of the learning.

Jigsaw PSHE has a bespoke area of the curriculum specific to Relationship and Sex Education (RSE). For further information on this please follow the link provided: Jigsaw-RSE-Guide-for-parents