This school year we have been implementing ‘Jigsaw’, the PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) Programme across school, which follows a mindful approach to PSHE.

Next half-term (Summer 2) we will be focussing on the Changing Me Puzzle which includes, in every year group, 2 or 3 lessons to help children understand the changes puberty brings and how human reproduction happens. There is a very serious safeguarding aspect to this unit. 

The younger year groups are not looking at these issues directly and explicitly, but rather learning correct terminology for body parts and covering the foundation work for later year groups.

In Year 1, we will be looking at the correct names for our private parts. Because some of what is being covered may be new to your child, or may prompt them to ask questions at home, I wanted to give you a brief outline of what we will be doing in the sessions. If you wish, you may want to discuss this with your child prior to the sessions (which will commence the WB 9th June 2023).

We will begin by discussing how we can tell if animals are male or female and we will then move on to how boys and girls are also different. Children will be introduced to the vocabulary: penis, testicles, vagina and anus.  Any pictures used are provided by Jigsaw and are illustrations - not photographs.

We understand this may cause a few giggles. The children will be assured it's okay to get embarrassed or shy as we don't usually talk about our private parts, but it's important to know the proper names for them.

We will ensure that children are not made to feel ashamed and instead understand private means special or important to us. The session will be taught alongside the 'Pantosaurus' (click here) so that children understand their private parts are just for them and no-one has the right to see or touch them without permission.

We will end the session by discussing when it is okay and when it is not okay to talk about our private parts e.g. at the doctors.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or a member of the leadership team. 

Miss Sturman