PSHE, SMSC & British Values

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum. At Tor Bridge Primary School we use the Jigsaw programme, which offers a comprehensive, carefully thought-through scheme of work which brings consistency and progression to our children’s learning in this curriculum area. Our PSHE curriculum intends to teach children to be healthy, safe and well-equipped for modern life. Pupils foster lifelong aspirations, goals and values. It provides opportunities for our children to develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, both now and in the future. Through a variety of teaching methods, we help children deal with everyday issues they may face such as friendships, emotional wellbeing and change, to making informed decisions about healthy eating and future careers.

SMSC Links: Every Jigsaw lesson from Early Years to upper primary offers opportunities for children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, and this is clearly mapped and balanced across each year group. Likewise, Jigsaw is designed to provide structured opportunities in every lesson to practise and enhance the five skills associated with the emotional literacy (self-awareness, social skills, empathy, motivation and managing feelings). At Jigsaw, we believe that these opportunities are vital for children’s development, their understanding of themselves and others and in increasing their capacity to learn.

British Values: Jigsaw PSHE 3-11 supports the British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. It has been mapped lesson by lesson against the British Values agenda. Tor Bridge Primary School actively promotes the fundamental British values of:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Through a range of structured activities, our children develop an understanding that while people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in Britain are subject to its law.