How we teach PSHE at LDSM

At Long Ditton St Mary’s, we believe that PSHE is a fundamental part of every child’s education. Our aim is to equip pupils with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills they need to become confident, healthy, respectful and responsible members of their community and wider society.

Our PSHE curriculum covers a broad range of learning, including physical and mental health, wellbeing, relationships, keeping safe, managing emotions and preparing for life in modern Britain. Learning is carefully sequenced and progressive so that pupils revisit important concepts and develop their knowledge, vocabulary and understanding as they move through the school.

We use Jigsaw PSHE as a key resource to support our curriculum, providing a consistent structure and progression across year groups. Teachers use their professional judgement to adapt learning to meet the needs of their pupils and to respond appropriately to issues that arise within their classes, our school community and the wider world.

The six Jigsaw themes that support our curriculum are Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me. These themes allow important concepts to be revisited and developed as children progress through the school.

PSHE at LDSM is not confined to a weekly lesson. Explicit teaching is reinforced through assemblies, our Christian values, pupil leadership, Pupil Parliament, the house system, sporting opportunities, enrichment activities, themed weeks and days, community links and the positive relationships children build with one another and with adults across the school.

Through PSHE and our wider Personal Development provision, we aim for pupils to leave LDSM able to build positive relationships, appreciate difference and diversity, understand and manage their emotions, make informed and safe choices, look after their physical and mental wellbeing, understand their rights and responsibilities, and contribute positively to their community and wider society.

Pupil Voice and Impact

We regularly talk to pupils about their PSHE learning to understand what they know, what they remember and how they apply their learning to their lives. Pupil voice, alongside teacher assessment and evidence from lessons, helps us evaluate the impact of our PSHE curriculum and identify areas for further development.

Ground force Day - 25th September 2026

“I liked Ground force Day because we all got to help make the school look nicer. It was actually really fun doing it together.” 

Playground Markings - Pupil Parliament. 10th September 2026

“Last year’s Year 6 helped loads with choosing the new playground markings. It’s a shame they’ve left now and don’t get to see them.”

“I think it’s kind of like their legacy because they helped choose them and now all the children get to use them.”

Year 4 - Hockey Tournament 25th September 2026

“It was really fun because our whole year got to go and play hockey, not just the people who are normally in the school teams.”