There is no subject more relevant to children’s everyday lives than PSHE. At Pownall Hall, we believe in teaching children to be responsible citizens with respect for themselves, their families, their school community and the wider world. We look after our children’s physical and mental health, preparing them for inevitable changes that lie ahead and teach them to be kind, well-informed and self-assured individuals, showing compassion towards others irrespective of differences in background, beliefs or lifestyle.
Nothing matters more than how we relate to those around us and how we feel about ourselves. However important academic preparation for 11+ and Senior Schools undoubtedly is, it is the development of children’s characters in these formative years that motivates me most as a teacher and that will ultimately have the greatest impact on the rest of their lives.
Mr. Mike Erian – BA (Hons), MA, PGCE
When thinking about PSHE for our youngest children we refer to children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED). This can be broken further into the following three aspects: Self confidence and self awareness, managing feelings and behaviour and making relationships.
Children’s personal, social and emotional development is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. It is something which is focussed on daily across the Pownall Early years and staff strive to weave opportunities to develop children’s skills in this area into all aspects of their day as well as in individual focus activities. Strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults enable children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others. Children in the EYFS are assigned a Key person and for our very youngest children this is who they first form a strong bond with before making friendships with their peers.
Our children are confident because they are provided with a wealth of experiences such as singing songs on the stage, holding a snake around their neck or receiving special certificates to name a few. In the EYFS children are supported to manage their emotions. We want children to know it is ok to feel a range of emotions, as children progress through the EYFS they will learn to recognise and consider the feelings of others. Children develop a positive sense of self; they learn about themselves and their families including what makes them so special and unique. We teach children respect for others and to celebrate our differences. Children are taught to challenge themselves and it is ok to make mistakes; this can be by learning to take their first steps in the Robin room to writing their first sentence in Reception. Through adult modelling and guidance, children will learn how to look after their bodies, including healthy eating, and manage their personal needs independently. Through supported interaction with other children they learn how to make good friendships, co-operate and resolve conflicts peaceably. These attributes will provide a secure platform from which children can achieve at school and in later life.
In the Pre-Prep years at Pownall Hall, we guide our children towards a greater sense of self-awareness and nurture them as they learn to show more empathy towards others. Children in Forms 1 and 2 are encouraged to live active, healthy lives, and to begin to take more responsibility for themselves both in school and at home. Children learn to develop positive relationships with their peers, their families and themselves, understanding at an age-appropriate level the concepts of boundaries, consent and personal space.
PSHE (incorporating RHE) lessons take place weekly, alongside additional circle time and form periods, allowing children to discuss matters that are important to them as and when they arise. Form teachers promote a different Growth Mindset value each week which complements and enriches the PSHE curriculum. PSHE lessons are fully aligned with Pownall’s ethos and promote British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. An age-appropriate awareness of and respect for those with protected characteristics are promoted throughout.
In the Prep years at Pownall Hall, the development of our children’s characters continues, teaching them the importance of looking after themselves physically and mentally, fostering positive relationships with their peers and encouraging them to take pride in their own achievements, attributes and aspirations. Children are taught about social, political and financial responsibility, encouraged to take an active interest in and – where appropriate – respond to local, national and global issues. As they reach Forms 5 and 6, we teach children about puberty and prepare them for their exciting transition to Senior School at the end of their time with us.
PSHE (incorporating RHE) lessons take place weekly, alongside additional form periods and ‘Time to Talk’ sessions, allowing children regular opportunities to discuss matters that are important to them as and when they arise. Assemblies focus on a different Growth Mindset value each week, which complements and enriches the PSHE curriculum. PSHE lessons are fully aligned with Pownall’s ethos and promote British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. An age-appropriate awareness of and respect for those with protected characteristics are promoted throughout.
