At Thorncombe St Mary's CE Primary Academy, we believe that PSHCE plays a vital role in helping children become happy, healthy, confident and respectful members of society. Through our PSHCE curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to build positive relationships, look after their physical and mental wellbeing, stay safe and prepare for life beyond primary school.

We teach PSHCE using the Jigsaw programme, a comprehensive scheme of learning that fully supports the statutory requirements for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education. We have chosen to invest in this high quality programme to ensure our curriculum remains up to date and reflects current guidance and best practice.

The Jigsaw curriculum is organised into six half-termly themes:

Being Me in My World
Celebrating Difference
Dreams and Goals
Healthy Me
Relationships
Changing Me

Relationships and Sex Education is taught in an age-appropriate and sensitive way as part of our wider PSHCE curriculum. Before the teaching of the Changing Me unit each year, parents and carers are informed about the content that will be covered and are given the opportunity to view the materials and ask any questions. We value working in partnership with families and encourage open communication to support children's learning.