The Learning Curve

What is  Positive  Education?

Positive Education in the Primary School is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to successfully manage their lives – now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, Positive Education develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. 
Within The LaunchPad The curriculum for Positive Education is based on the Golden Rules Series by Jenny Mosley. 

Within the Primary School we are beginning to use a scheme of work called Jigsaw, written and developed by teacher and psychotherapist, Jan Lever MBE from England
What is Jigsaw, the mindful approach to Positive Education, and how does it work?
Jigsaw is a whole-school approach and embodies a positive philosophy and creative teaching and learning activities to nurture children’s development as compassionate and well-rounded human beings as well as building their capacity to learn.

It is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time at their own level. There are six Puzzles (half-term units of work) and each year group is taught one lesson per week. All lessons are delivered in an age- and stage-appropriate way so that they meet children’s needs.
The lessons all include Jigsaw Friends who are integral to Jigsaw learning. They act as distancing tools to keep learning about sensitive issues safe e.g. Jigsaw Jino has a problem in the playground and the children help Jino find a solution.

The Friends also act as Talking Objects in the Jigsaw Circle, when I am holding Jigsaw Jack it is my turn to talk and be listened to if I choose to. 

Can your children recognise and name the Jigsaw friend they have in their classroom?
 

This week we have introduced the children to the Jigsaw charter. This is an agreement that they have in regards to the expectations of their behaviour and work in school. All of this has been closely linked to our school values.

The Jigsaw Charter

We take turns to speak
We use kind and positive words
We listen to each other
We have the right to pass
We only use names when giving compliments or when being positive
We respect each other’s privacy (confidentiality)

Once this charter had been discussed the children in all classes were given the opportunity to write their own class charter in their own words. These class charters will be signed by the children and then displayed together outside of the primary building.
Some examples from our classes are;
Be kind
We will look after each other
 We will listen to each other
 We will keep our classroom tidy 
 We are kind and polite to each other.
 We listen and are respectful. 
 We look after our things and keep our room tidy. 
 We respect each other's privacy and feelings.
We are helpful and fair.
We try to keep positive relationships.
We respect learning, people, places and objects.
We always welcome and guide new people in our community.
We listen to people’s opinions even if we disagree.
We treat others the way we want to be treated
 We will always be kind. 
 We will listen to each other. 
We will be calm and considerate. 
We will look after  ourselves and each other.