Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, brings together Personal, Social, Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. A lesson a week helps to focus on tailoring the lessons to the children’s needs and to enjoy building the relationship with the class, getting to know them better as unique human beings.

Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, 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 adults and children alike.

Jigsaw provides a comprehensive PSHE Programme which covers all the requirements of the government guidance and outcomes, including statutory 2020 requirements regarding RSE. The Relationships and Healthy Me Puzzles (units) cover most of the aspects in the guidance but these are enhanced, revisited and foundations built throughout the Jigsaw Programme. Jigsaw’s philosophy starts by building positive self-image, a sense of identity and a healthy relationship with self, and from that starting point helps children grow healthy relationships with others.

Health Education in Jigsaw embraces not only physical health but has a strong focus on mental health and emotional literacy throughout, and empowers children to be aware of their own thoughts and feelings and know how to manage and regulate these.

Every Piece (lesson) contributes to at least one of the aspects of children’s SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural) development.

The Relationships and Changing Me Puzzles have a strong safeguarding focus in particular, obvious to teachers but not necessarily so explicit to children. Our philosophy is to grow resilience and positive self-esteem and confidence in children, so they can recognise when they feel uncomfortable in a situation and know who to trust and how to speak up for help. They respect themselves and their bodies and know what healthy relationships feel like.