We aim to encourage all students to develop an understanding of the ever changing world through a holistic approach. By engaging in physical activities, making positive lifestyle choices and having an awareness of their own mental well-being, children will be able to manage their own lives effectively.
PSHE
Classes follow the Jigsaw scheme of work which covers a range of Personal, Social and Health issues.
These include:
Autumn 1: Being me in my World (Includes understanding my place in the class, school and global community as well as devising Learning Charters)
Autumn 2: Celebrating Difference (Includes anti-bullying (cyber and homophobic bullying included) and diversity work.)
Spring 1: Dreams and Goals (Includes goal-setting, aspirations for yourself and the world and working together.)
Spring 2: Healthy Me (Includes drugs and alcohol education, self-esteem and confidence as well as healthy lifestyle choices.)
Summer 1: Relationships (Includes understanding friendship, family and other relationships, conflict resolution and communication skills)
Summer 2: Changing Me (includes sex and relationships education in the context of coping positively with change)
Reception - Knowledge Organiser
The scheme provides opportunities to cover advised curriculum coverage, relevant in today’s society alongside exploring social and emotional skills.
Alongside the curriculum coverage, we address the British values strand as well as strong links to SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) development.
Relationship and Sex Education Questionnaire Results
A parent and carer consultation has been carried out, obtaining viewpoints and feedback in regards to our updated Relationships and Sex policy. Alongside this, the new compulsory objectives, which link to the corresponding year groups, have beenshared. As a school, we felt it vital for the opinions of all stakeholders to be listened to, therefore, pupils also spent time discussing what PSHE means to them and shared what they would like to see being taught. Following on from this and in response to any feedback received, a Frequently Asked Question sheet was formed ( see below).
In response to some of the comments received we have constructed a FAQ sheet to both respond and give further information.
Yes! As a whole school, before any content is taught parents will be contacted through SZAPP with both a reminder as to when lessons will be taught (Summer term 2) as well as an overview of objectives that will be covered. This will provide parents with an understanding of content if they wish to discuss this further at home.
All PSHE lessons are taught in classrooms which foster a supportive learning environment. Children are taught from KS1 to listen to each other and to be respectful to each others ideas and discussions. Lessons can consist of discussions, mind maps and matching activities to written outcomes, dependent on the age of the child and the lesson objective. Images are used to illustrate all body parts and are labelled with their scientific name. As you can see below the images are illustrations and are in no way done in graphic detail. This becomes normal for children and is discussed using the correct terminology throughout the school.
As children move into upper key stage 2, videos are used to, again illustrate, puberty and the physical changes in an adolescent body. 
3. Is PSHE focusing heavily on sexual content?
No, Linden’s PSHE and Relationship education curriculum covers a whole range of objectives vital in supporting the whole child to develop and grow, whilst being inclusive of modern society. As included in the overviews, coverage includes a wide range of objectives;
- mental well being
- first aid
- online safety and wellbeing
- healthy relationships (friendships, different family structures etc).
Units also focus on celebrating differences, including race, gender and gender identity, physical attributes but recognises how each and every one of us is special. Setting dreams and goals for the future and keeping healthy both physically but also mentally (body confidence, self awareness, media influences).
One unit out of the six taught throughout the year focuses on sex education which is called ‘changing me.’ Lessons taught will cover aspects of body parts, menstrual cycles and how to deal with changes in their lives (asking for help, looking towards the next school year.) All of which remain at age appropriate levels and set within government guidance.
To continue supporting your child(ren) in regards to PSHE and its coverage below are some useful websites. This is addition to any information which will be sent out by the school before specific topics are covered in class.
https://www.jigsawpshe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Information-for-parents-and-carers-leaflet.pdf Jigsaw parent information leaflet: RSE Guide for Parents and Carers leaflet
https://www.outspokeneducation.com/ (click on the tips by age to ensure age appropriate content)
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/talk-about-puberty.html
https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/parents/ ( Information in supporting your child with transgender and gender dysphoria
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/positive/?WT.ac=p-nav-positive (Topics include first aid, staying healthy, making friends.)
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/coming-out/coming-out-advice-and-guidance-parents (LGBT)
PE
At Linden Primary School, each class is timetabled to 2 hours of PE per week. One of these sessions is taught from the RealPE scheme of work and focusses on the fundamental skills (Balance, Co-ordination, Agility), whereas the other session is taught from the Lancashire Scheme of Work and allows children to apply the fundamental skills that they are learning into games and competitive situations.
Use this link to access our PE long term plan: Linden Primary School PE Overview 2022.23
Real PE Scheme of work
The Real PE scheme of work was introduced at Linden in January 2022. The curriculum and the school’s wider work support pupils to develop resilience, confidence and independence and lead a healthy and active lifestyle, helping them to know how to keep physically and mentally healthy. Through the teaching of the RealPE scheme we aim to develop pupils who are committed to their learning, know how to study effectively, are resilient to setbacks and take pride in their achievements. Alongside the physical skills, we have a ‘Learning Nutrition’ focus for each term. These are: Cognitive, Creative, Physical, Social, Personal and Health and Fitness. These skills can be used in a variety of sports, across the whole curriculum and in the everyday lives of our pupils.
Use this link to access the Progression of skills document for RealPE real-PE-Progression-of-Skills.pdf (jasmineactive.com)
Use this link to access the Fundamental Movement Skills Progression in Real PE FUNS-Fundamental-Movement-Skills-Progression-of-Skills.pdf (jasmineactive.com)
Swimming
Each year group (Year 2-Year 6) goes swimming for a minimum of 10 weeks of the year. Our swimming lessons are taught by the staff at Holmleigh Park High School Sports Centre. The children are taught the different strokes of swimming, as well as how to stay safe in and around water.
As a school we record how many Year 6 children achieve the end of Key Stage 2 expectations; The number of children who can swim 25m, The number who can perform a range of strokes effectively and the number of children who can safely perform a self-rescue. Our data from the last cohort of year 6 children who completed their 10 weeks swimming block is below: The number of children who can swim 25m is 28/60 (47%), the number who can perform a range of strokes effectively is 21/60 (35%) and the number of children who can safely perform a self-rescue is 20/60 (33%).
Gloucester School Sports Network
As our school commitment to this, we have affiliated to the Gloucester School Sports Network. This collaborative working will provide enhanced opportunities for students and staff alike to develop PE and School Sports. The following areas will be covered:
Pupil participation opportunities – festivals and events (Dance, KS1 Christmas, Easter and Summer Multi Skills) Pupil competition opportunities – Cross Country / Gymnastics / Rugby / Hockey / Swimming Gala / Athletics / Rounders. Staff continual professional development – High Quality Physical Education/Sport Specific. Curriculum support – activities as required.
Please refer to the link below to see the full range of opportunities that the Gloucester School Sports Network has on offer.
http://www.gssn.co.uk http://www.nhs.uk/change4life
Extra-curricular
At Linden we offer a wide variety of sports (football, tag rugby, gymnastics etc.) through our after-school clubs. Each club is held for an hour per week throughout the year. In addition to this, we participate in the Gloucester schools’ leagues for boys’ football, girls’ football and tag rugby.
Linden Values
Each term we focus on a different value, where we begin with a launch assembly on the meaning of the value and its importance within our lives. Assemblies linked to this are carried out during the term with the final one celebrating a value winner from each class. This provides an opportunity for parents of the winning children to join us and celebrate with the pupils.
Our values include:
Assemblies
At Linden, we have regular assemblies often linked to our values but also have regular assemblies held by Rev. Ruth Fitter from St Pauls and St Stephens church as well as a termly visit from Gordon Rae.
Each week, the whole school meets for a celebration assembly, where we celebrate a star of the week (chosen by class teachers), team points and class attendance.
School Council
Each year, the school council is elected after a thorough and exciting campaign trail held with the opportunity of year 5 and year 6 pupils being voted in for the roles such as Prime Minister and Secretary of Education, as well as year group representatives from across the school.
Weekly they meet to discuss and address important issues that impact on the Linden School community.
They are currently tackling the KS2 playground as well as dealing with the build-up of lost property.
GHLL Award
We currently hold the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning award to which we continue to set high expectations throughout the school.
