Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationship Education

PSHE

PSHE education is a planned, developmental programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE education develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. PSHE education equips pupils to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. It encourages them to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in achieving economic wellbeing.

A critical component of PSHE education is providing opportunities for children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future. Developing an understanding of themselves, empathy and the ability to work with others will help pupils to form and maintain good relationships, develop the essential skills for future employability and better enjoy and manage their lives.

Why is PSHE important? 

PSHE teaches us how to make informed choices and be enterprising and ambitious. 

Through PSHE education, we focus on achieving our potential by supporting our wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect our ability to learn, such as anxiety and unhealthy relationships. 

In PSHE, we learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle and positive relationships. 

How is PSHE taught? 

PSHE is taught through a combination of subject knowledge and skill building. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. 

Relationship Education (RSE)

The focus of RSE in our school is on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults.

This starts with pupils being taught about what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who the people are who can support them. From the beginning of primary school, building on early education, pupils will be taught how to take turns, how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect, the importance of honesty and truthfulness, permission seeking and giving, and the concept of personal privacy. Establishing personal space and boundaries, showing respect and understanding the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe physical, and other, contact – these are the forerunners of teaching about consent, which takes place at secondary.

One of the most important parts of the RSE curriculum is about teaching the children the correct vocabulary.  Language and communication are core skills for life. It is vital that we fully equip children by consistently teaching the correct vocabulary that will enable them to have healthy, respectful relationships, to stay safe, develop a positive body image and understand better what the process of growing and changing from a child into a young adult involves.