PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

Intent

At Leopold Primary School, PSHE is central to developing confident, healthy and responsible pupils who are prepared for life in modern Britain. Our curriculum helps children understand themselves, build positive relationships and make informed choices about their wellbeing and safety. We want pupils to develop emotional literacy, resilience and respect for others, enabling them to become thoughtful members of the community.

Our PSHE curriculum aims to ensure that children:

• Build healthy friendships and understand how to care for others.
• Learn about different families and respectful relationships.
• Develop emotional awareness and strategies to manage feelings.
• Understand how to stay physically healthy and mentally well.
• Know how to stay safe - offline and online - and seek help when needed.
• Prepare confidently for the changes that come with growing up.

Our approach reflects the statutory Relationships Education and Health Education guidance, and promotes equality, respect and inclusion throughout.

Implementation

PSHE is taught weekly in every year group following a carefully sequenced long-term plan that builds progressively from Year 1 to Year 6. Each half-term has a clear theme, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding as they mature. These themes include friendship, families, respectful relationships, physical health, mental wellbeing and transitions/growing up.

Lessons include discussion, role play, storytelling, scenarios and reflection activities. Teachers create a safe and supportive environment where children can share ideas, ask questions and develop confidence in expressing themselves. PSHE is also reinforced through assemblies, circle times, themed weeks (such as Anti-Bullying Week and Mental Health Week) and wider pastoral support.

Curriculum Progression (Years 1–6)

Each year group studies the same overarching themes in age-appropriate ways:

• Caring Friendships and Responsibilities (Autumn 1): e.g., characteristics of friendships, trust, conflict resolution.

• Families and People Who Care for Me (Autumn 2): e.g., different family structures, feeling safe, care and support.

• Respectful Relationships (Spring 1): e.g., manners, self-respect, stereotypes, bullying including cyberbullying.

• Physical Health (Spring 2): e.g., healthy eating, exercise, sleep, substance risks, first aid.

• Mental Wellbeing (Summer 1): e.g., understanding emotions, online content, activities that support wellbeing.

• Transitions & Growing Up (Summer 2): e.g., changes in the body, coping with transition, puberty and menstruation. 

  This structure ensures continuity and progression while giving children repeated opportunities to revisit core ideas as they mature.

Wider PSHE Provision

• Assemblies reinforce themes such as respect, kindness, antibullying and diversity.

• School values are embedded in daily routines and behaviour expectations.

• Online safety is taught regularly and supported through computing.

• Visitors and workshops enrich learning on topics such as health, safety and wellbeing.

Supporting All Learners

Our PSHE curriculum is inclusive and accessible to all pupils. Teachers use:

• Differentiated discussions, sentence stems and visual prompts

• Opportunities for small-group reflection

• Clear routines and expectations to help children feel safe to participate

• Additional support for pupils with SEMH needs

• Challenge questions to extend thinking for higher-attaining pupils

We ensure all children can contribute meaningfully and develop personal and social skills at their own pace.

Impact

By the end of primary school, pupils at Leopold:

• Understand how to build and maintain healthy friendships and relationships.

• Show respect, empathy and understanding towards people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

• Can recognise and manage a range of emotions.

• Know how to keep themselves healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally.

• Understand how to stay safe, including online.

• Are prepared for changes such as moving to a new class, transitioning to secondary school and the physical changes of puberty. 

  We monitor impact through pupil voice, discussions, observations and ongoing assessment during lessons. The positive attitudes, confidence and maturity pupils demonstrate across the school reflect the strength of our PSHE provision.

Supporting PSHE at Home

Parents and carers can help by:

• Talking regularly about feelings, friendships and kindness.

• Encouraging healthy routines including sleep, eating and physical activity.

• Discussing online safety and helping children make responsible choices.

• Being open and supportive when children ask questions about changes or emotions.

Working together, we can help children develop the confidence, wellbeing and life skills they need to thrive.