Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)

Intent

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) plays a vital role in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain. Through our PSHE curriculum, we equip children with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to understand themselves, build positive relationships and make safe, informed choices.

Our aim is to develop confident, resilient and responsible individuals who understand their role within their community and the wider world. Through carefully structured learning, pupils develop emotional literacy, self-awareness and respect for others while building the confidence to face the opportunities and challenges of modern life.

PSHE also supports pupils’ wellbeing and personal development by helping them to understand how to manage emotions, maintain healthy relationships and keep themselves safe both online and offline.

Our PSHE curriculum ensures pupils develop:

• strong self-awareness and emotional regulation
• positive and respectful relationships with others
• understanding of physical and mental wellbeing
• knowledge of personal safety and safeguarding
• awareness of citizenship and British values
• understanding of financial responsibility and economic wellbeing

Our curriculum aligns with the statutory Relationships and Health Education guidance (DfE) and supports pupils in developing the knowledge and character needed to thrive.

Character & Arts Alignment

PSHE is a key component of the Smallthorne Character & Arts curriculum, supporting pupils’ personal development alongside their academic learning.

PSHE contributes to the Character & Arts strands by enabling pupils to:

• Heritage – develop respect for different cultures, traditions and communities
• History – understand how societies have developed values such as fairness and equality
• Performing & Expressive Arts – build confidence through discussion, reflection and collaboration
• Sustainability – understand the importance of caring for themselves, others and the environment
• Enterprise – develop responsibility, decision-making and financial awareness

Through PSHE, pupils develop the character qualities of empathy, resilience, respect and responsibility, preparing them to become active members of society.

Implementation

Our PSHE curriculum is delivered through the Kapow Primary RSE & PSHE scheme of work, which provides a structured and progressive programme of learning from EYFS through to Year 6.

The scheme ensures full coverage of the statutory Relationships and Health Education requirements set out by the Department for Education while also supporting broader personal development.

Curriculum Structure

In EYFS, learning is aligned with the Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) area of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and focuses on:

• Self-regulation
• Building relationships
• Managing self

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, the Kapow curriculum is organised into five key areas:

• Families and relationships
• Health and wellbeing
• Safety and the changing body
• Citizenship
• Economic wellbeing

These themes are revisited across year groups to ensure pupils build secure knowledge and understanding over time.

Relationships and Health Education (Statutory)

Relationships and Health Education is statutory in all primary schools.

Through this learning, pupils develop knowledge about:

• healthy friendships and respectful relationships
• families and caring relationships
• online safety and digital responsibility
• physical health and mental wellbeing
• keeping safe and recognising risk
• understanding changes that occur during growth and development

Learning is delivered in an age-appropriate and supportive environment that encourages discussion, reflection and respect for others.

Parents have the right to request withdrawal from any non-statutory sex education content, although the statutory Relationships and Health Education curriculum must be taught.

Further information can be found in our Relationships and Health Education policy.

British Values and Citizenship

PSHE supports the promotion of the fundamental British values of:

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Through discussion, collaborative activities and real-life scenarios, pupils learn how these values shape life in modern Britain.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

PSHE plays an important role in the school’s safeguarding approach.

Pupils learn how to:

• recognise unsafe situations
• understand personal boundaries
• seek help from trusted adults
• stay safe online
• support their own mental wellbeing

These lessons help pupils develop the confidence and awareness needed to keep themselves and others safe.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will:

• demonstrate resilience and confidence when facing challenges
• build and maintain positive relationships
• understand how to manage their physical and mental wellbeing
• know how to stay safe and seek help when needed
• show respect and empathy towards others
• understand their responsibilities as members of society

Measuring Impact

The impact of the PSHE curriculum is evaluated through:

• pupil voice and reflective discussions
• observation of participation in lessons and activities
• evidence of learning within PSHE work
• behaviour, wellbeing and safeguarding indicators

Through this approach, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and character needed to navigate life confidently and responsibly.

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, PSHE helps pupils to Smile, Strive and Shine as confident, caring and responsible individuals.