At Newnham Infant and Nursery School, we have introduced a whole school PSHE scheme called JIGSAW. JIGSAW combines PSHE, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development. 

JIGSAW is a whole school approach which continues through to Newnham Junior School, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for the children. 

Intent

At Newnham Infant and Nursery School we aim to equip children with essential skills for life; to develop the whole child through carefully planned and resourced lessons that develop the knowledge, skills and attributes children need to protect and enhance their wellbeing. Through PSHE lessons children will work within the following themes: Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me. These themes support social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development and provide children with protective teaching on essential safeguarding issues, developing their knowledge of when and how they can ask for support. Our units of learning cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community. 

Implementation 

At Newnham Infant and Nursery School PSHE is taught in each class on a weekly basis in thematic units, following the JIGSAW Scheme. This is a whole school approach to PSHE using a spiral, progressive curriculum that revisits each half-termly unit (puzzle) each year. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning regularly at a depth that is appropriate for their age and stage of the child.

Puzzles are launched with a whole school assembly, with each year group studying the same unit at the same time, building sequentially through the school year. Each lesson is split into 6 parts: Connect us, Calm me, Open my mind, Tell me or show me, Let me learn, Help me reflect, Closure.  

Impact

Children at Newnham Infant and Nursery School are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community. Our PSHE scheme of work supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positive to the wellbeing of those around them.