Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship enables children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. In so doing we help develop their sense of self worth. We teach them how society is organised and governed. We ensure that they experience the process of democracy in school through the school council. We teach them about rights and responsibilities. They learn to appreciate what it means to be a positive member of a diverse multicultural society.
The aims of personal, social and health education and citizenship are to enable the children to:
- know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle;
- be aware of safety issues;
- understand what makes for good relationships with others;
- have respect for others;
- be independent and responsible members of the school community;
- be positive and active members of a democratic society;
- develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues;
- develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community.
Picture News at St Mary’s
At St Mary’s, we use Picture News to enrich our PSHE curriculum and promote British Values and Catholic Social Teaching principles. Each Monday, Picture News is shared with classes, sparking meaningful discussions about current affairs and helping pupils make sense of the world around them. Through thought-provoking questions and real-life stories, children are encouraged to explore themes such as democracy, respect, and care for creation, all within the context of our Catholic ethos.
How Picture News Supports PSHE and British Values
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Weekly Resource Packs include:
- A poster with a big question and image linked to a news story.
- Assembly slides with open-ended questions for discussion.
- Learning resources for KS1 & KS2, promoting oracy and critical thinking.
- Picture News Paper with additional global stories for reading.
- Take Home page to strengthen home-school links.
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Each resource connects to one of the fundamental British Values:
- Democracy
- Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect & Tolerance
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Packs also highlight Protected Characteristics and the UN Rights of the Child, promoting equality and global citizenship.