Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education

PSHE - our intent and implementation

PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is a planned programme of learning through which children acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to successfully 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 become, family members and members of society. It is our intent to deliver a PSHE curriculum which reflects the needs of our pupils, equips them with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions. It is also our intent to deliver a PSHE curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. PSHE sessions will also be tailored to our children’s needs.

As a result of this the children at Checkendon Primary School will:

• Feel empowered with a voice
• Possess a secure understanding of their place in the world
• Develop a sense of identity through learning about themselves
• Have the knowledge to help keep them safe
• Grow their resilience
• Develop positive self-esteem and confidence in themselves
• Respect themselves and their bodies
• Know what healthy relationships feel like
• Understand how to healthy relationships with others
• Develop their emotional literacy and understanding mental health and well being
• Understand how to increase their mental wellbeing
• Develop their knowledge on physical health
• Develop their awareness of their own thoughts and feelings
• Understand how to manage and regular their thoughts and feeling

It is our intent that PSHE sessions at Checkendon equip pupils with knowledge about:

• Importance of physical health
• Importance of diet and a healthy lifestyle
• Drug education
• Financial education
• Sex and relationship education
• Mental wellbeing
• Internet safety

We want children to enjoy PSHE sessions and help to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities and experiences in later life. It is our intent that teachers are confident in their ability to deliver PSHE sessions. This will ensure that quality and effective sessions are delivered with the correct coverage. Topics (pshe-association.org.uk)

According to the National Curriculum, every school needs to have a broad and balanced curriculum that:

• promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school;
• prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life;
• promotes British values.

PSHE - our impact

Our children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part. We develop a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with the skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them. 

Our PSHE education has a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, but mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem. We feel that we have also been successful in helping disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils achieve to a greater extent by raising aspirations and empowering them with skills to overcome the barriers they face.