Intent

At St Stephen's C of E Primary School, we believe every child should become a confident, resilient and responsible individual who is equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to thrive both now and in the future. Through our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum, pupils develop the confidence to make informed decisions, build positive relationships, understand themselves and others, and become active, compassionate members of society.

We follow the Kapow Primary PSHE and RSE scheme, providing a carefully sequenced curriculum that meets the statutory requirements for Relationships Education, Health Education and the National Curriculum expectations for PSHE. Knowledge, understanding and skills build progressively from EYFS to Year 6 across five key strands:

• Families and Relationships

• Health and Wellbeing

• Safety and the Changing Body

• Citizenship

• Economic Wellbeing

Pupils also receive age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in line with statutory guidance. Through the curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their physical and emotional wellbeing, build healthy relationships, stay safe both online and offline, understand their rights and responsibilities, and prepare for life beyond primary school.

Implementation

Curriculum Progression

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit each of the five key strands throughout their time at St Stephen's. Learning follows a spiral curriculum, enabling children to revisit key concepts while developing increasingly sophisticated knowledge, vocabulary and decision-making skills.

In the Early Years, children learn about themselves, their feelings, friendships and belonging through play, discussion and carefully planned adult-led activities. In Key Stage 1, pupils develop their understanding of healthy relationships, emotions, personal safety, healthy lifestyles and their role within the wider community.

By Key Stage 2, pupils explore more complex themes including resilience, mental health, diversity, discrimination, online safety, financial education, democracy, careers, puberty, relationships and preparing for the transition to secondary school. Learning encourages pupils to think critically, ask questions and apply their understanding to real-life situations.

Ground rules are established at the beginning of each year to ensure that every PSHE lesson provides a safe, respectful and supportive environment where pupils feel confident discussing sensitive issues appropriately.

Key Concepts

Learning is centred on developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to lead healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. Pupils develop their understanding of:

• Healthy and respectful relationships

• Physical and mental wellbeing

• Personal and online safety

• Rights, responsibilities and British Values

• Financial education and economic wellbeing

• Identity, diversity and equality

• Resilience, self-awareness and emotional literacy

Children are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, consider different viewpoints and make informed, responsible decisions.

British Values

British Values are embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils develop an understanding of:

• Democracy

• The Rule of Law

• Individual Liberty

• Mutual Respect

• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

These values are explored through classroom discussion, pupil leadership, School Council, collective worship, charitable work and wider school life, helping pupils become active, responsible citizens.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Relationships and Sex Education is taught as part of our wider PSHE curriculum in line with statutory guidance. Lessons are carefully planned to be age appropriate and focus on respectful relationships, personal boundaries, keeping safe, recognising healthy relationships and preparing pupils for the physical and emotional changes of puberty.

Parents are informed before any non-statutory sex education lessons are delivered and have the right to withdraw their child from these sessions, in line with national guidance.

Cross-Curricular Links

PSHE enriches learning across the wider curriculum through meaningful links with RE, Science, Computing, PE and English. Pupils explore moral and ethical questions, develop speaking and listening skills, learn about healthy lifestyles and physical wellbeing, and build digital resilience through computing. The curriculum also supports pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development and reflects our Christian vision and values.

Impact

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave St Stephen's as confident, resilient and compassionate young people who are well prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities of secondary school and modern life.

Our pupils will:

• Build and maintain healthy, respectful relationships

• Understand how to keep themselves physically, emotionally and digitally safe

• Recognise and manage a range of emotions using appropriate strategies

• Demonstrate respect, empathy and tolerance towards others

• Understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens

• Make informed choices about health, wellbeing and financial matters

• Show resilience, independence and confidence when facing new challenges

Assessment is ongoing through teacher observation, pupil discussion, reflective activities and retrieval of prior learning. Clear progression from Reception to Year 6 ensures every child develops the knowledge, understanding and life skills needed to become healthy, responsible and successful members of society.