PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, Education)
Intent: What do we hope to achieve?
In EYFS, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. Underpinning their personal development are the important attachments that shape their social world. Strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults enable children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others. Children should be supported to manage emotions, develop a positive sense of self, set themselves simple goals, have confidence in their own abilities, to persist and wait for what they want and direct attention as necessary. Through adult modelling and guidance, they will learn how to look after their bodies, including healthy eating, and manage personal needs independently.
Through supported interaction with other children, they learn how to make good friendships, co-operate and resolve conflicts peaceably. These attributes will provide a secure platform from which children can achieve at school and in later life.
In KS1 & KS2 Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an important part of PSHE education. Relationships education is compulsory for all primary school pupils.
Through PSHE, we aim to ensure children’s development as human beings, to enable them to understand and respect who they are, to empower them with a voice and to equip them for life and learning.
Implementation: How we will deliver PSHE?
At Warley Town School, we follow the PSHE Association’s curriculum model, designed to align with the 2026 edition of the Programme of Study for PSHE Education. This programme covers all aspects of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE), including the statutory content for Relationships and Health Education, alongside recommended content for Sex Education. It also includes essential learning on Economic Wellbeing and Careers Education.
Changing and Growing Up
The Medway Public Health Directorate’s Changing and Growing Up programme is an integral part of our curriculum. These lessons support pupils in recognising and developing positive, healthy relationships and help prepare them for the physical and emotional changes that occur as they grow, including those experienced during puberty.
These materials ensure that statutory Relationships and Health Education requirements are delivered in an age- and stage-appropriate way:
- Year 2: My special people; Growing up – the human life cycle; Everybody’s body
- Year 3: What makes a good friend?; Falling out with friends
- Year 4: Time to change; Menstruation and wet dreams; Personal hygiene; Emotions and feelings
- Year 6: Puberty recap; Puberty – change and becoming independent; Positive, healthy relationships; How a baby is made
The Year 6 lesson, How a Baby Is Made, incorporates elements of sex education. It has been included to safeguard pupils effectively and to provide a foundation for later learning about healthy, intimate relationships. While the Department for Education strongly recommends that primary schools deliver sex education, we understand and respect that parents and carers have the right to request to withdraw their child from this lesson.
Pol-Ed Programme
We have also incorporated Pol-Ed lessons into our curriculum. These resources meet all statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Education and further support and enhance curriculum delivery. Pol-Ed lessons are planned for each year group and are structured around four key themes:
- Relationships
- Keeping Safe
- Understanding the Law
- Wellbeing
Equality, Inclusion and Protected Characteristics
Our PSHE curriculum actively promotes learning about the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010, particularly through our Belonging and Community unit. Pupils explore concepts of belonging, the impact of stereotypes, and the importance of respectful and inclusive communities.
These lessons also develop pupils’ understanding of discrimination and extremism, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to challenge prejudice and resist extremist narratives as they grow.
- Years 1 & 2: Pupils focus on recognising similarities and differences and are introduced to the concept of equality.
- Years 3 & 4: Pupils learn about the diverse groups and communities they belong to and how to promote inclusion.
- Years 5 & 6: Pupils explore stereotyping and extremism, developing skills to evaluate and challenge prejudice and discrimination critically.
Medway 'Changing and Growing Up' overview
Impact: How effective is our PSHE curriculum?
The impact of our PSHE curriculum will be measured and monitored by senior leaders and subject coordinators who consider and evaluate:
- Pupil outcomes
- Pupil voice
- Internal monitoring
- External monitoring
Ofsted 2023:
"The curriculum for personal, social and health education also covers relationships and sex education. Pupils have an age appropriate understanding of different types of relationships. Fundamental British values, such as democracy and tolerance, are
incorporated into the curriculum, planned events and assemblies. Pupils demonstrate a mature understanding of these values. They show respect for, and are curious about, different cultures and religions."