What is PSHE Education?

PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to successfully manage their lives - now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE Education develop the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.

What do schools have to teach in PSHE Education?

According to the National Curriculum, every school needs to have a broad and balanced curriculum that:

• promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school;
• prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life;
• promotes British Values.

From September 2020, primary schools in England also need to teach Relationships and Health Education as compulsory subjects and the Department for Education strongly recommends this should also include age-appropriate Sex Education.

Schools also have statutory responsibilities to safeguard their pupils and to uphold the Equality Act.

The Jigsaw Programme supports all of these requirements and has children's wellbeing at heart.

What is Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE and how does it work?

Jigsaw is a whole-school approach and embodies a positive philosophy and creative teaching and learning activities to nurture children's development as compassionate and well-rounded human beings as well as building their capacity to learn.

It has been written by teachers and is grounded in sound psychology.

Jigsaw has two main aims for children:

• To build their capacity for learning
• To equip them for life

Jigsaw brings together PSHE Education, compulsory Relationships and Health Education, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development.

It is a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (puzzle) at the same time, at their own level. 

There are six puzzles (half-term units of work) and each year group is taught one lesson per week. All lessons are delivered in an age-appropriate way so that they meet the children's needs.

Each puzzle starts with an introductory assembly which generates a whole school focus for adults and children alike. 

What will Jigsaw teach my child?

The overview below summarises the content in each Jigsaw's units of work (puzzles).

Jigsaw Puzzles and Content

• Jigsaw Puzzles Overview by Year Group (1).pdf

Information Leaflets from Jigsaw for Parents

• Jigsaw-Information-Leaflet-for-Parents-and-Carers-2020.pdf
• RSHE-A-Guide-for-Parents-and-Carers-leaflet-2020.pdf
• Jigsaw-LGBT-Parent-Leaflet-A4.pdf

What else is included?

There are numerous additional aspects of the Jigsaw Programme to enhance the learning experience, including the Jigsaw fiends ( jigsaw-shaped soft toys used as teaching aids), Jigsaw Chimes and Jigsaw Jerrie Cats (used to help and encourage calming and mindfulness practice).

Every Jigsaw lesson includes mindfulness practice.  Mindfulness is being able to observe your own thoughts and feelings as they happen, in the present moment, applying no judgement. Jigsaw teaches children to understand their thoughts and feelings through the Calm Me time exercises (using the Jigsaw Chime). and Pause Points (using Jigsaw Jerrie Cat). This helps to develop awareness and their capacity to be mindful human beings. Learning is thus enhanced as emotions and behaviour are self-regulated. 

Parents and carers are very welcome to visit the Jigsaw website www.jigsawpshe.com