PSHE
INTENT:
The intention of our PSHE curriculum is to equip every child with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and responsible lives. Through high-quality Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, pupils develop resilience, emotional literacy, self-awareness and positive relationships whilst learning how to make informed choices that keep themselves and others safe.
At St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child, irrespective of their background, starting point or the challenges they may face, deserves the opportunity to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Our PSHE curriculum plays a central role in removing barriers to learning by developing children’s confidence, communication, wellbeing and readiness to learn.
Guided by our mission statement, ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus,’ our curriculum encourages every child to recognise their God-given uniqueness, care for others with compassion and dignity and make positive choices that reflect Gospel values. We nurture children to become respectful members of their communities who demonstrate kindness, empathy and service towards others.
Our curriculum enables children to understand their emotions, recognise and celebrate their individual strengths, build healthy relationships and become active citizens. Through carefully planned learning experiences, children develop the confidence to express themselves, solve problems collaboratively and make responsible decisions that prepare them for life beyond primary school.
High-quality teaching lies at the heart of our approach. Alongside this, we provide targeted pastoral support and meaningful enrichment opportunities that promote wellbeing, inclusion and personal development. Our curriculum is responsive to the needs of our pupils and reflects the challenges within our own school community. Particular emphasis is placed upon developing communication and emotional literacy, strengthening positive relationships with families, promoting good mental health and ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and able to succeed.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Teachers create a positive and supportive learning environment where every child feels valued, respected and confident to contribute. We promote an expectation that every pupil can develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to become healthy, happy and responsible citizens.
PSHE is delivered through a carefully sequenced curriculum based upon the PSHE Association Programme of Study and supported by the My Happy Mind programme. Learning is progressive from Early Years to Year 6, ensuring that children continually build upon their understanding of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.
Lessons are engaging, discussion-based and reflective, enabling children to develop emotional literacy, resilience, confidence and self-regulation. Pupils are encouraged to express their opinions respectfully, listen carefully to others and appreciate different viewpoints within a safe, inclusive environment.
Recognising that communication underpins both learning and wellbeing, teachers provide regular opportunities for purposeful talk, collaborative learning and reflection. Children are encouraged to articulate their emotions, explain their thinking confidently and develop the vocabulary needed to discuss feelings, relationships and personal experiences.
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is taught in accordance with statutory guidance and the teachings of the Catholic Church through the diocesan programme. Children learn about healthy relationships, personal safety, physical and emotional wellbeing and the importance of respecting the dignity of every person.
The curriculum responds directly to the needs of our pupils by supporting those who may experience social, emotional or mental health challenges. Consistent approaches, including emotional coaching, restorative conversations and Zones of Regulation strategies, help children develop self-awareness, emotional regulation and resilience.
British Values, Protected Characteristics and online safety are carefully woven throughout the curriculum. Children learn to value diversity, challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences and understand their responsibilities as respectful citizens within modern Britain.
Teachers use effective questioning, discussion, pupil voice and ongoing assessment to monitor understanding and identify pupils requiring additional support. Learning is adapted to ensure all pupils, including disadvantaged learners and those with additional needs, make strong progress from their individual starting points.
PSHE extends beyond the classroom through Collective Worship, assemblies, charitable fundraising, pupil leadership, Forest Skills, educational visits, visitors and wider community partnerships. These experiences enhance children’s cultural capital, deepen their understanding of the wider world and provide meaningful opportunities to live out our mission statement of ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus.’
Strong partnerships with parents and carers further strengthen children’s personal development. Through workshops, family events, home learning opportunities and open communication, we work collaboratively to promote children’s wellbeing both in school and at home.
IMPACT:
The successful implementation of our PSHE curriculum results in confident, compassionate and resilient children who embody the values of St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School.
Children leave St Stephen’s with the knowledge, skills and confidence to build positive relationships, maintain good physical and mental wellbeing, recognise and regulate their emotions and make informed decisions that keep themselves and others safe.
Our pupils demonstrate empathy, respect and kindness in their daily interactions and understand the importance of treating every person with dignity. They are increasingly able to articulate their thoughts, feelings and emotions using appropriate vocabulary, showing growing confidence and independence throughout their school journey.
Through our curriculum, children develop the resilience and emotional intelligence needed to overcome challenges, demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning and an increasing ability to self-regulate. As a result, behaviour supports learning, pupils feel safe and valued and wellbeing is prioritised across the school community.
Children benefit from a rich range of experiences that broaden their horizons, increase their cultural capital and deepen their understanding of the diverse communities in which they live. They actively contribute to school life, demonstrate responsible citizenship and understand how they can positively influence the lives of others.
The impact of our curriculum is measured through pupil voice, lesson observations, learning walks, monitoring of behaviour and wellbeing, safeguarding records, attendance, engagement in enrichment opportunities and ongoing assessment of pupils’ personal development. Evidence shows children becoming increasingly confident communicators, emotionally aware learners and active participants in school life.
Ultimately, our PSHE curriculum ensures that children leave St Stephen’s as well-rounded individuals who are academically prepared, emotionally resilient and spiritually grounded. They are equipped to embrace the next stage of their education with confidence whilst living out our mission statement to ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus.’
