Personal, Social, Health & Economic (PSHE)

The purpose of PSHE (personal, social, health & economic) is to ensure pupils are equipped with core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of the core ideas of seminal philosophers, and an understanding of psychology in order to explore their own beliefs, provoke challenging questions, and develop respect for others.

Personal, Social, Health & Economic

Lower School – Key Stage 1

In the Early Years, PSHE lays the foundation for lifelong wellbeing through play-based learning, emotional literacy, and social interaction. Children begin to explore feelings, friendships, and routines in a nurturing environment that fosters empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging—setting the stage for the Jigsaw journey ahead 

 In PSHE, the spiral Jigsaw model builds emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social skills through six thematic “Puzzles” (Being Me, Celebrating Difference, Dreams & Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, Changing Me) each year.  

In the Early Years, PSHE lays the foundation for lifelong wellbeing through play-based learning, emotional literacy, and social interaction. Children begin to explore feelings, friendships, and routines in a nurturing environment that fosters empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging—setting the stage for the Jigsaw journey ahead.  

Together, these subjects develop critical thinking, empathy, self awareness, respect, and a sense of belonging—all underpinned by challenge: from debating philosophical concepts to stretching personal goals and understanding complex ethical issues.  

Our teaching is enquiry led, practical, and tec enabled—incorporating group discussion, reflective journaling, circle time, and mindful practices. Differentiation and enrichment (e.g., debate extension tasks, mindfulness toolkits) ensure every student is stretched.  

Enrichment includes visits to places of worship, guest speakers, PSHE assemblies and community events such as Culture Day—bringing learning to life. The result is a curriculum where challenge and care go hand-in-hand, preparing students academically, morally, and emotionally for life in a diverse and dynamic world.  

Lower School – Key Stage 2

Every student at Gad’s Hill has a lesson of PSHE per week. We use the Jigsaw program to ensure that everything is covered that ought to be. This spiral Jigsaw model builds emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social skills through six thematic “Puzzles” (Being Me, Celebrating Difference, Dreams & Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, Changing Me) each year.  

Upper School – Key Stage 3

Every student at Gad’s Hill has a lesson of PSHE per week. We use the Jigsaw program to ensure that everything is covered that ought to be. Lessons are age-appropriate, engaging and relevant to their lives. The themes continue throughout the Key Stages, however the content develops. This helps us in our mission to produce the best adults of the future. The Jigsaw model builds emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social skills, and discusses physical and mental health, consent, healthy relationships and issues relating to the law through six thematic “Puzzles”. These are Being Me, Celebrating Difference, Dreams & Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, and Changing Me.  

Upper School – Key Stage 4

Every student at Gad’s Hill has a lesson of PSHE per week. We use the Jigsaw program to ensure that everything is covered that ought to be. Lessons are age-appropriate, engaging and relevant to their lives. The themes continue throughout the Key Stages, however the content develops. This helps us in our mission to produce the best adults of the future. The Jigsaw model builds emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social skills, and discusses physical and mental health, consent, healthy relationships and issues relating to the law. In addition to this, some topics are built on each further in tutor time, assemblies or with external guests. For example, experts on cybercrime, a charity creating awareness about the importance of consent, and the Transport Police have spoken to our students about these important and relevant topics.