On this page, you will find relevant information about the Wellbeing Curriculum at St Matthew’s.
View our PSHE Policy on our Curriculum Policies page
Download: PSHE – Curriculum Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: PSHE – Curriculum Milestones 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: PSHE – Curriculum Vision 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Wellbeing and Mental Health – Curriculum Vision 2021-22 [PDF]
Download: SMSC in the Curriculum [PDF]
View our Wellbeing Policy on our Policies page
View our Pupil Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy on our Policies page
View our British Values SMSC Policy on our Policies page
A Message from Pope Francis
“Dear children, our hands are a symbol for our hearts and only open, generous hearts can change the world. If you have a friend at school that you don’t like, don’t go and gossip about that person with others, because that shows you have a closed heart. If someone insults you, don’t insult them back, but try and change the world with small, every day, acts of generosity and solidarity. Jesus taught us to pray for our friends and our enemies.” – Pope Francis
“We need to rediscover the concreteness of small things, the small acts of kindness shown to those who are close to us, family, friends. We need to realise that our treasure lies in small things. There are tiny gestures that sometimes get lost in the routine of everyday life, gestures of tenderness, affection, compassion, that are nevertheless decisive, important” Pope Francis on facing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wellbeing Statement
The emotional health and wellbeing of all members of St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School is fundamental to our philosophy and ethos. We value everyone, care for each other and strive for excellence. At St Matthew’s we work together as a school community, including all students and parents in a supportive, success minded and challenging environment to maximise opportunities and achievements for all. Wellbeing incorporates PSHE,SMSC, mental health and British Values.
We focus on changing the long term culture of our school and embedding an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all. We have embedded wellbeing into every aspect of our school and we will continue to do so, involving everyone.
In light of the current pandemic, the need to nurture the physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing of everyone is paramount.
Intent
St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School actively values and supports pupils and staff on their journey to positive mental health. We aim to make a positive difference to pupils and staff mental health and wellbeing. The intent of our Wellbeing/ PSHE curriculum is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all and one that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. It is also our intent to provide a curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which enables children to access the wider curriculum and to prepare children to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community.
We strive to provide an ideal environments for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behaviour changes and signs of mental distress. Evidence shows that health and wellbeing programmes in schools, can lead to significant improvements in children’s mental health, and social and emotional skills.
PSHE and Wellbeing at St Matthew’s provides a balanced and broadly-based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities and experiences for later life.
Implementation
St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School embed wellbeing, social and emotional aspects of learning within a whole school PSHE programme. Our holistic programme includes:
- Substance Misuse
- Tobacco
- Risk Taking / Safety
- Diversity
- Emotional Health
- Coping Strategies
- Healthy Eating
- Healthy relationships / Bullying
- Financial Education
- British Values
- Democracy
- Citizenship
- Physical Activity
- E-Safety
- Careers
- Dealing with Emotions
- Understanding Emotions
- Talking about Mental Health in a Positive Light
The Wellbeing/PSHE curriculum also includes opportunities to link British Values, SMSC and Key skills into the curriculum. Our spiral curriculum starts in Year 1 and follows the children through to Year 6. The distribution of the lessons complements key campaigns throughout the year such as Anti-bullying Week, Mental Health Week and Industry/Global Week.
We use Jigsaw which is a mindful approach to PSHE. All learning activities used in Jigsaw allow opportunities for discussion and debate. Open learning activities provide an opportunity for pupils to develop their skills, knowledge and attitude. Never underestimate the impact of children debating or discussing- even practising using language or talking about feelings can help them develop key skills for the future. Resilience plays a big part of our curriculum and this has been our PSHE focus throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Wider Curriculum
All subjects make a link to Wellbeing, PSHE, BV, SMSC and the language is used consistently by all staff.
Displays across school
Wellbeing, PSHE, BV and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.
Assemblies
Whole school, Key Stage and class assemblies always make a link to Wellbeing, PSHE, British Values and SMSC.
Assessment
Wellbeing is fundamental to learning. Every Wellbeing/PSHE lesson has the opportunity for ongoing self/teacher assessment. The reason it takes place during every lesson, is so that children are moved on quickly and are able to understand emotions and feelings as they go. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a topic; and formally each term, to ensure that the children have achieved and continue to achieve and develop as well rounded citizens. Support and intervention (for those who need it) is available in all lessons and is key in PSHE lessons. Children are encouraged to work independently and in groups to explore scenarios, issues and situations they may encounter and navigate them in a positive way.
Impact
A growing body of research shows that pupils who are emotionally healthy do better at school. PSHE education helps children and young people to achieve their potential by supporting their wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect their ability to learn, such as anxiety and unhealthy relationships. PSHE education also helps pupils to develop skills and aptitudes – like teamwork, communication, and resilience – that are crucial to navigating the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, and are increasingly valued by employers.
PSHE education helps pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. From making responsible decisions about alcohol to succeeding in their first job, PSHE education helps pupils to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up.
Pupils agree that PSHE education is a vital part of their preparation for life, with 92% of those who have been taught the subject believing all young people should receive high-quality PSHE lessons.
Useful Resources
Download: COVID-19 Booklet [PDF]
Download: Story About Pandemics and the Coronavirus [PDF]
Download: Coping Calendar [PDF]
Download: National Anti-Bullying Week Newsletter [PDF]
Download: What is Resilience [PDF]
Download: A Guide to Looking After Yourself and Others During COVID-19 [PDF]
Mindfulness
Have you heard of something called ‘mindfulness’? It’s about noticing what is happening in your body, your brain and in all of your senses at this moment in time. Practising mindfulness allows you to take notice of your thoughts and feelings. This helps you to feel a sense of calm and manage difficult emotions such as stress, worry or anger. Why not have a go at some of the activities below?
External Link: Why not make a glitter jar? The swirling patterns make you feel calm when you are stressed or anxious.
External Link: The Gratitude Tree Guided Meditation. If you liked this meditation why not check out more meditations by New Horizons?
External Link: Mindfulness Meditation. Daily meditation helps you to manage and control your mental wellbeing.
External Link: Cloud Watching. Why not try some mindful cloud watching? Wondering why this helps? Find out more here.
External Link: Body Scan. Complete a mindful body scan, bringing you to harmony with your mind and body.
Other Mindfulness Exercises
External Link: Claire’s House Children’s Hospice – Feeling Calm
External Link: NHS UK – Cruz’s Training Station
External Link: NHS UK – Jungle Jig with Nala and Simba
External Link: NHS UK – Jack Jack’s Super Shapes
External Link: NHS UK – Bellwether’s Book Bundle
External Link: MiSP – Mindfulness is being alive and knowing it
External Link: MiSP – Playing Attention
External Link: MiSP – Beditation
External Link: Cosmic Yoga – Yoga for Children
External Link: More Yoga Clips
External Link: Mindful Breathing Exercise