At the start of each half term, the Jigsaw leader holds a whole school worship, where the theme for the half term is introduced.

Each week, a Jigsaw lesson is taught in each class across the school.

Each lesson, enables the children to:

-Improve their social skills to better enable collaborative learning (Connect us) This is a game or activity designed to be fun and inclusive and to build and maximise social skills. ‘Connect us’ engenders positive relationships and enhances collaborative learning. It sets the atmosphere at the beginning of each Jigsaw Piece and can be used again at the end should the teacher feel the atmosphere needs to be lifted after some deep work during the lesson.

-Relax their bodies and calm their minds to prepare them for learning (Calm me) This section of the Piece helps children gain awareness of the activity in their minds, relaxing them and quietening their thoughts and emotions to a place of optimum learning capacity. This will also engender a peaceful atmosphere within the classroom. It may well take a number of sessions before children can do this successfully, as many children live in continually noisy and hectic environments. It is an invaluable life skill which also enhances reflection and spiritual development. This underpins the mindful approach advocated in Jigsaw

-Help the brain to focus on specific learning intentions (Open my mind) The Reticular Activating System of the brain filters the many stimuli entering the child’s mind at any given time. It is designed only to allow in that which is significant. Therefore, it is important to engage this system with the most important aspects of learning intended for each Piece (lesson). If we do this well, it will enable children to filter out activity around them not significant to this learning intention, thereby improving concentration and learning.

-Initiate new learning (Tell me or show me) This section of the Piece (lesson) is used to introduce new information, concepts and skills, using a range of teaching approaches and activities.

-Facilitate learning activities to reinforce the new learning (Let me learn) Following Piaget’s learning model, after receiving new information/concepts, children need to manipulate, use, and play with that new information in order for it to make sense to them and for them to ‘accommodate’ it into their existing learning.

-Support them in reflecting on their learning and personal development (Help me reflect)Throughout Jigsaw, children are encouraged to reflect on their learning experiences and their progress. By reflecting, children can process and evaluate what they have learnt, which enables them to consolidate and apply their learning. They are also asked to stop and become aware of their thoughts and feelings in any given moment in Pause Points thus developing their mindfulness.