At Dhoon, we believe that children’s personal and social development is at the heart of successful learning. When children feel happy, secure, confident and valued, they are far better placed to engage enthusiastically with school life and to thrive both academically and emotionally. We work hard to nurture this sense of wellbeing in every pupil, and we know that strong, trusting partnerships with families are essential in achieving it.
If we ever have concerns about a child’s welfare or emotional needs, we will always involve parents at an early stage so that we can work together to offer the right support. Likewise, we appreciate parents letting us know about any changes at home which may affect a child’s feelings or behaviour in school. Children can respond to a wide range of experiences - such as the arrival of a new baby, changes in family circumstances, or hearing something upsetting, and sharing this information helps us understand and support them more effectively.
Friendships play a central role in children’s daily lives, and it is normal for disagreements or ‘fallouts’ to occur from time to time. These moments can feel very big for children, and we take great care to help them navigate these situations with empathy, kindness and growing maturity. Parents are always welcome to speak with us, in confidence, about any worries they may have.
To support children’s personal development in a structured and meaningful way, we deliver a comprehensive PSHE curriculumthroughout the school. We use the Kapow! programme, which equips children with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to navigate the complexities of life in the 21st century. The curriculum covers key areas such as health, wellbeing, safety, relationships and financial understanding, helping children to make informed choices now and in the future, and to grow as confident individuals and active, responsible members of society.
Below, you can find an overview of the topics taught in each year group’s PSHE lessons. Please note that the RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) elements of the Kapow! curriculum are not included here; for RSE, including ‘Growing Up’ lessons, we follow and adapt the Isle of Man's Advisory RSE Curriculum.