At St Andrew’s Primary School we teach PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and RSE (Relationship and Sex Education) as subjects through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. They are an integral part of all we do in school and whilst they are explicit subjects in their own right, they are also woven into all areas of the curriculum and school life. We believe that these skills and attributes will equip children to stay healthy, safe and prepare for their future lives in the modern world. They will help our children to achieve their potential and leave school equipped with skills that will support them throughout their lives.
Our PSHE curriculum closely follows guidance from the PSHE Association using the PSHE Association Primary Programme Builder and the National Curriculum. This model has been adapted to suit the needs of our school and to ensure that the RSE is integrated into our PSHE curriculum, with many areas being taught within or alongside our main themes.
The DfE states that Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. All schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice, and this expectation is outlined in the national curriculum.
PSHE is a non-statutory subject however RSE is statutory. At St Andrew’s we focus on helping children to develop positive and healthy relationships in our RSE lessons and focusing on our ethos and values of ‘Respect, Honesty, Friendship and Forgiveness’. Sex Education is not taught at St Andrew’s, however the human life cycle is covered within our Science Curriculum. We also support our children with drug education, financial education, and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.
Curriculum Design
Our PSHE curriculum waves ensure that all areas of PSHE and RSE are embedded in each year group. There are 6 areas which are taught over each half term. They are
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Feelings and Friendships
- Safety and Risk
- Identity
- Being Healthy
- Financial Health
Our curriculum is structured around an overarching question for each unit of work. The emphasis throughout is to encourage enquiry, discussion and interpretation, enabling children to consider and form their own opinions. Children develop strategies to help them to apply and secure knowledge of different concepts. In PSHE there is particular emphasis on reflection and revisiting of concepts. We make sure that learning is accessible to all children, including those with additional needs.
St Andrew’s curriculum waves below has the detail of each year groups teaching in PSHE.
The Early Years Foundation Stage
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, PSHE education is about making connections; it’s strongly linked to child-led activities, including play. PSHE is taught through activities that are part of topics, as well as on an individual basis to develop personal skills such as dressing, feeding and toileting. Positive experiences are built through daily opportunities, to share and enjoy a range of different activities. Children are given the opportunity to engage in social activities, as members of a small group or occasionally during whole-school activities.
Our PSHE curriculum is frequently enhanced through visitors coming into school and children accessing educational experiences including: Aspire Week; Health Week, Internet Safety Day, NSPCC Stay Safe, School Nurse etc.
Our lead teacher for PSHE and RSE (Miss A Hunter) who is accredited with an advanced certificate in the role of PSHE and RSE. Any questions or queries about the curriculum can be answered and welcomed.