Any experience of Jigsaw PSHE curriculum please?

[Lucylucylucyloo]

DD’s school are soon to be starting the jigsaw curriculum and day one, week one is all about our inherited characteristics from our birth families. I have no confidence at all in their ability to manage this sensitively as they have no interest or understanding of adoption, trauma or the needs of adopted kids. Has anyone else experienced this curriculum or can offer any insight?

thank you

No experience of Jigsaw, but I’d want to see any materials beforehand from any outside 3rd party, particularly about adoption. If I remember correctly, Jigsaw have been covered before on the feminist section albeit about another topic - but I’d be very wary.

Just to add, all schools cover this fairly early on. Our school did this internally. I did question them on what they would be covering. All the children brought in a photo of their family. Our two were fine, but I did prepare them a bit. But you can ask to see the resources - you’ll probably have to go into school to do it though.

What year is your child in? I've taught Jigsaw before but I can't remember this lesson. I can have a look at the lesson content for you if I can find it.

Jigsaw was negatively mentioned in a government report on another topic.

Maybe you can keep your child home for some/all sessions?

Thank you, she is year 4. I want to keep her home but the school have refused and have only said the week it will be taught and not the day so I would have to keep her home for the whole week to avoid it!

They sound like they are not being very cooperative, which always makes me suspicious. They should be working with you knowing that it may be a sensitive subject. How has the school been previously? I think I would be putting it in writing why you may be concerned and asking them explicitly how they are going to support your child and their needs - and then if need be, escalate from there. Definitely ask to see the resources though.

LO was given a very important job for another teacher when the Year 3 Families lessons took place.

There was zero way they were going to be in that lesson. Very good reasons.

I've realised that the reason I don't remember this lesson is because I teach in Scotland and we have a separate resource for covering relationships and sexual health so I've never taught this section of Jigsaw before.
I've taken some screenshots of the lesson plan. Hopefully you can read it.

It's written all over the lesson plan to be mindful of children who are adopted or fostered and to talk to them first! I hope you can talk to the school again @Lucylucylucyloo and get them to take a bit more notice.

You say the school has no interest in understanding trauma and adoption, could you talk to your virtual school? I listened to a webinar recently where the virtual school said they can advocate for parents and help raise awareness in schools about trauma. If you Google virtual school for you area you should be able to find contact details.