PSHE
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" — Dr Seuss
PSHE Team: Mr R Corbett, Mrs J Murphy and Miss C Watkins
Our Purpose (based on the National Curriculum and Statutory Guidance)
At Rack House Primary School, our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education is at the heart of our school’s ethos and values. It supports children to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives now and in the future. From EYFS to Year 6, our curriculum helps pupils to be healthy, safe, confident and responsible members of society.
Rooted in statutory RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) and wider PSHE education guidance, our programme is designed to nurture the whole child, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities they will face both within and beyond school.
Through a spiral curriculum, pupils explore key themes such as relationships, physical and mental wellbeing, personal safety, citizenship, financial literacy and aspirations. They learn how to navigate the world around them, build positive relationships and make informed decisions.
Our PSHE curriculum empowers pupils with a strong sense of self, resilience, and empathy. It supports the development of emotional intelligence, social awareness and responsible behaviour, fostering inclusion, equality and respect for all.
National Curriculum and RSHE Guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-sex-and-health-education-guides-for-schools
PSHE Curriculum Overview:
PSHE Long Term Plan
How We Teach PSHE:
At Rack House, our PSHE curriculum is structured around a carefully sequenced progression of knowledge and skills that develops year by year. We use enquiry-led questions, real-life scenarios, and age-appropriate content to engage pupils in thoughtful discussion and reflection.
Our curriculum is structured around three core themes:
- Relationships
- Living in the Wider World
- Health and Wellbeing
Themes such as friendships, online safety, emotional regulation, diversity, equality, consent and personal responsibility are revisited across year groups to embed understanding and support long-term development.
PSHE is delivered through weekly discrete lessons as well as being embedded in daily school life. Assemblies, circle time, themed days and cross-curricular links reinforce key messages and values. We use a trusted, evidence-based scheme as the foundation for our curriculum while tailoring it to meet the needs of our pupils and community.
Pupil voice plays a key role in shaping our PSHE provision. Children are encouraged to reflect on their learning, ask questions and engage in respectful discussion. Lessons are inclusive, accessible and culturally sensitive, ensuring that all children feel represented and valued.
The curriculum is enriched with trips and experiences that promote cultural capital and real-world learning — such as visits from health professionals, emergency services, and community role models — helping pupils understand how PSHE connects to everyday life and future aspirations.
Assessment is ongoing and reflective, focusing on how well children can articulate their understanding, apply their learning in context and demonstrate the behaviours and values explored in PSHE. The children use Zones of Regulation and Daily check-ins to reflect on their feelings throughout the day.
The Results of Our Approach:
By the time they leave us, pupils will:
- Have developed a strong sense of self-worth, empathy and respect for others
- Understand how to stay safe, healthy and emotionally secure (Manchester Healthy Schools Gold accredited school)
- Be confident communicators, able to express thoughts and feelings appropriately
- Have the tools to make informed, responsible decisions
- Appreciate diversity and understand their rights and responsibilities in society
- Become Rights Respecting Citizens (We are a UNICEF gold accredited school)
- Be prepared for the challenges and opportunities of life in modern Britain
The impact of our PSHE curriculum is evidenced through:
- Pupil Wellbeing and Confidence: Children demonstrate high levels of self-esteem, empathy, resilience and understanding of emotions. They feel safe, listened to and respected.
- Positive Behaviour and Relationships: Pupils build strong, respectful relationships with peers and adults. Behaviour across the school reflects shared values of kindness, inclusion and responsibility.
- Knowledge Retention and Application: Pupils can articulate what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations, showing strong understanding of topics such as online safety, health, and peer relationships.
- Readiness for Life: Our pupils leave prepared for the next stage of education and life in modern Britain, with the character, values and resilience needed to thrive and contribute positively to society.
Progression of Skills Documents:
Useful Links:
- PSHE Association
https://pshe-association.org.uk/ks1-2-pshe-education-what-it-covers-and-why-it-works
Explains what content is taught in personal, social, health & economic (PSHE) education in Key Stages 1-2, why it’s important, and how it supports children’s development.
- RSE Parent Guide
https://pshe-association.org.uk/news/new-relationships-education-and-rse-guides
Describes guidance and tools for schools to help parents understand, contribute to, and communicate about new relationships, sex and health education (RSE) policies and changes.
- BBC Bitesize - PSHE
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/parents
Resource offering parents/carers advice, activities and expert guidance to help support their children’s learning, wellbeing and transitions (e.g. starting school).