At St Christopher’s our PSHE is based on SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) curriculum materials developed in the UK. The School has identified the social and emotional aspects of learning as a key focus for our work with the children. At St Christopher’s we understand just how important it is for our children to manage and understand their feelings, work co-operatively in groups, motivate themselves and demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks. Our PSHE programme aims to develop all our children as effective learners and citizens. It is linked with Building Learning Power and other strategies that we have adopted to enhance learning, strategies rooted in educational research into how children learn most effectively.
Our PSHE programme is timetabled weekly as Circle Times and we follow Jenny Moseley’s very effective strategies for delivering Circle Time. All year groups follow similar themes, but at a level best suited to their needs and those of their year group. Above are some photos of Circle Time in action and here are some of our children’s thoughts on it.
"It really helps you think about how you can make school better. You can also get ideas of how to manage your distractions."
"I think circle time is about expressing your feelings and I enjoy the chairs being in a circle"
"It's a chance for you to understand how to deal with year six"
"I like circle time because its fun and sometimes you learn about your classmates when they share hilarious things"
"Circle time is good because you get to learn more facts about the others in your class as everyone has a turn to speak when they are holding the egg."
"It is fun and you get to play games that teach you at the same time."
"You don't need to feel embarrassed because what you say in circle time stays in the classroom, you can share the experiences that you have had with others."
Term 1
New Beginnings; Getting on and falling out; Say no to bullying
Term 2
Going for goals! Good to be me
Term 3
Relationships; Changes