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PSHE

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Aims and Purposes

To be thriving individuals, family members and members of society the following knowledge and skills need to be developed throughout primary school.

Intent

Our intent is for all children to be immersed in a high-quality PSHE education that equips them with the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to:

· Build positive and respectful relationships

· Maintain their physical and mental health and well-being

· Stay safe in a range of situations

· Be responsible, active citizens who are prepared for life and work in modern Britain

Through this curriculum, we aim to develop confident, resilient learners who are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the wider world.

Implementation

Our Primary RSE and PSHE curriculum meets the statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Education, as outlined by the Department for Education. It also fulfils the National Curriculum expectation that "all schools should make provision for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)." The scheme is fully mapped to the statutory requirements through the use of the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which is recommended by the DfE. This ensures a comprehensive and consistent approach to coverage and progression across all year groups. Children’s learning through this scheme makes a significant contribution to their personal development and also actively promotes the four fundamental British values, which are essential for life in modern Britain. Democracy, Rule of law, Respect and tolerance and Individual liberty. By embedding these values throughout the curriculum, pupils are supported in becoming respectful, responsible, and active members of society.

We follow a whole-school approach, with content structured around key developmental areas appropriate to each phase:

Aligned with the Personal, Social and Emotional Development prime area of the EYFS Framework, learning is organised into three core strands:

· Self-regulation

· Managing self

· Building relationships

From Year 1 to Year 6, PSHE is structured around five key themes (with an additional theme in Year 6):

· Families and relationships

· Health and wellbeing

· Safety and the changing body

· Citizenship

· Economic wellbeing

· Identity (Year 6 only)

This structure ensures pupils develop a deepening understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them, while building the knowledge and skills to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

The lessons are based upon the statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Sex education has been included in line with the DfE recommendations and is covered in Year 6 of our scheme. The scheme supports the requirements of the Equality Act through direct teaching in addition to the inclusion of diverse teaching resources throughout the lessons. All lessons include ideas for differentiation to stretch the most able learners and give additional support to those who need it. There are meaningful opportunities for cross-curricular learning, in particular with Computing for online safety and Science for growing, nutrition, teeth, diet and lifestyle. The scheme provides consistent messages throughout the age ranges including how and where to access help.

In addition to the delivery of a planned, scheduled PSHE curriculum, reactive sessions and bespoke objectives are incorporated into the year group curriculums and The Laidlaw Trust virtues (Ambitious, Brave, Curious, Determination, Extraordinary, Good and Fast) promoted and celebrated throughout Primary and across its curriculum. Pupils have opportunities to have special responsibilities, including Head Person(s) and Prefects (Year 6 only), classroom monitors, Student Council, Mini Police and Wellbeing, Digital and Sports Leaders. Students are involved in decisions that impact on them, helping them to feel part of the school and wider community and to have some control over their lives. The PSHE curriculum is enhanced through outside agencies and guest speakers including Oral Health Promoter, School Nurse, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Fire Brigade, Northumbria Police and the Change 4 Life team. A record of the learning process is presented in photographs, children’s work, assemblies and through workshops and displays, and evident in the behaviours of children around school and in classrooms.

Impact

Each PSHE lesson includes clear assessment opportunities to identify whether pupils have met, exceeded, or not yet met the intended learning outcomes. Every unit is supported by two key assessment tools:

· Assessment Quiz: A 10-question quiz (nine of which are multiple-choice) that can be used at the end of a unit or at both the start and end. This helps to measure progress, identify gaps in understanding, and inform future teaching.

· Knowledge Catcher: A visual tool (presented as a mind map or table) listing key lesson themes. It is used at the start of a unit to assess prior knowledge and inform planning, and revisited at the end of the unit so pupils can add new learning—providing a clear demonstration of progression.

The impact of our Primary PSHE curriculum is that pupils:

· Know how to keep themselves physically and mentally safe

· Approach new challenges with confidence and set personal goals

· Understand that every living thing has rights, and that protecting those rights is a shared responsibility

· Develop a positive sense of self and recognise that pressure to behave or think in certain ways can come from various sources—and learn how to manage that pressure

· Recognise and respect the value of every individual in society, contributing positively to the wellbeing of others

· Understand that bullying, discrimination, and prejudice are unacceptable in all forms

· Are equipped with the language, confidence, and knowledge to know when, where, and how to seek help

This ensures that our pupils leave primary school as emotionally literate, socially responsible, and well-prepared young citizens, ready to navigate the wider world.

Primary

To be thriving individuals, family members and members of society the following knowledge and skills need to be developed throughout primary school.

Intent

Our intent is for all children to be immersed in a high-quality PSHE education that equips them with the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to:

Build positive and respectful relationships

Maintain their physical and mental health and well-being

Stay safe in a range of situations

Be responsible, active citizens who are prepared for life and work in modern Britain

Through this curriculum, we aim to develop confident, resilient learners who are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the wider world.

Implementation

We follow a whole-school approach, with content structured around key developmental areas appropriate to each phase:

Aligned with the Personal, Social and Emotional Development prime area of the EYFS Framework, learning is organised into three core strands:

Self-regulation

Managing self

Building relationships

From Year 1 to Year 6, PSHE is structured around five key themes (with an additional theme in Year 6):

Families and relationships

Health and wellbeing

Safety and the changing body

Citizenship

Economic wellbeing

Identity (Year 6 only)

This structure ensures pupils develop a deepening understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them, while building the knowledge and skills to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

How We Support SEND Children in PSHE

At Academy 360, PSHE is inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We recognise that PSHE plays a vital role in supporting SEND pupils’ emotional literacy, self-regulation, communication skills and independence.

PSHE lessons are carefully adapted to meet individual needs through:

Differentiated activities, resources and outcomes to ensure all pupils can engage meaningfully with the content

Use of visual supports, structured routines, clear language and pre-teaching of key vocabulary

Opportunities for repetition, overlearning and practical, real-life examples to reinforce understanding

Small-group or one-to-one support where appropriate, guided by SEND support plans

A safe, supportive environment where pupils feel confident to express emotions, ask questions and share experiences

PSHE also provides structured opportunities for SEND pupils to develop social skills, build positive relationships, understand personal boundaries and recognise emotions in themselves and others. Close collaboration between class teachers, SEND staff and pastoral teams ensures that PSHE learning supports wider individual targets and contributes positively to pupils’ overall wellbeing and personal development.

How We Support Vulnerable Learners in PSHE

PSHE is a key vehicle for supporting vulnerable learners, including those experiencing emotional, social or pastoral challenges. At Academy 360, we use PSHE to promote emotional safety, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.

Support for vulnerable learners includes:

A nurturing and trauma-informed approach to teaching sensitive topics

Flexible delivery, including adapted content or alternative ways to engage with learning when required

Additional adult support during lessons to help pupils process emotions and articulate their views

Opportunities for discussion, reflection and reassurance within a safe and trusted environment

Responsive and reactive PSHE sessions to address emerging needs, current issues or concerns

PSHE lessons reinforce key messages around self-worth, help-seeking, coping strategies and healthy relationships. Where necessary, learning is supported through targeted pastoral interventions, wellbeing support, and close communication with families and external agencies. This ensures that vulnerable learners feel heard, valued and equipped with

strategies to manage challenges both in and out of school.

Skills Builder Essential Skills in PSHE

PSHE at Academy 360 makes a strong contribution to the development of Skills Builder Essential Skills, preparing pupils for lifelong learning, work and positive participation in society. These skills are explicitly taught, practised and reinforced throughout PSHE lessons and wider school life.

Through PSHE, pupils develop:

Listening – actively listening to others’ views, responding respectfully and understanding different perspectives

Speaking – expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions clearly and confidently in discussions and group work

Problem Solving – exploring real-life scenarios, making safe choices and considering consequences

Creativity – thinking flexibly, exploring solutions and expressing ideas through role-play, discussion and reflection

Staying Positive – building resilience, managing emotions and developing strategies to cope with challenges

Aiming High – setting personal goals, reflecting on progress and developing self-belief

Leadership – taking responsibility, contributing to group decisions and representing others through roles such as Student Council or Prefects

Teamwork – working collaboratively, respecting others and resolving conflict positively

By embedding these essential skills within PSHE, pupils are supported in becoming confident communicators, resilient learners and responsible citizens who are well prepared for future learning and life beyond primary school.

Impact

Assessment Quiz: A 10-question quiz (nine of which are multiple-choice) that can be used at the end of a unit or at both the start and end. This helps to measure progress, identify gaps in understanding, and inform future teaching.

Knowledge Catcher: A visual tool (presented as a mind map or table) listing key lesson themes. It is used at the start of a unit to assess prior knowledge and inform planning, and revisited at the end of the unit so pupils can add new learning—providing a clear demonstration of progression.

The impact of our Primary PSHE curriculum is that pupils:

Know how to keep themselves physically and mentally safe

Approach new challenges with confidence and set personal goals

Understand that every living thing has rights, and that protecting those rights is a shared responsibility

Develop a positive sense of self and recognise that pressure to behave or think in certain ways can come from various sources—and learn how to manage that pressure

Recognise and respect the value of every individual in society, contributing positively to the wellbeing of others

Understand that bullying, discrimination, and prejudice are unacceptable in all forms

Are equipped with the language, confidence, and knowledge to know when, where, and how to seek help

This ensures that our pupils leave primary school as emotionally literate, socially responsible, and well-prepared young citizens, ready to navigate the wider world.