PSHE & RSHE

PSHE Curriculum Statement

At Fairfield Primary School, children’s well-being, happiness and safety are our first priority and PSHE is the key vehicle through which we share this with children. We regard PSHE as an important, integral component of the whole curriculum; it is central to our approach and at the core of our ethos.

PSHE education cannot exist in isolation. At Fairfield Primary School, it is part of a whole school approach and our curriculum provides a range of opportunities for children to make links to other areas of learning, both within school and beyond, and explore a wide range of social, moral, cultural and behavioural issues.

Our personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme promotes children's personal, social and economic development, as well as their health and well-being. It helps to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens.

We want children to find enjoyment and fascination in learning more about themselves, others and the world around them. The aims of PSHE education are to provide children with:

• Accurate and relevant knowledge;
• Opportunities to create personal understanding;
• Opportunities to explore and challenge a range of values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities;
• A range of skills and strategies to live a healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced life.

As a school, we believe that children are all individuals and we aim to encourage mutual respect, responsibility and foster self-esteem in a happy and caring atmosphere. The teaching and learning of PSHE supports and upholds this vision.

Through a variety of learning opportunities and experiences, we aim help each child:

• To develop and demonstrate a considerate style of life;
• To know themselves, their own needs and emotions and think well of themselves;
• To develop and demonstrate personal qualities and values;
• To develop confidence, independence and resilience;
• To understand and maintain positive, healthy relationships with those around them;
• To understand how to manage and respond to a range of emotions, giving them the skills and resilience to deal with challenging issues, as well as knowing when and how to seek support when needed;
• To value and respect themselves and value others;
• To value and respect belongings, living things and the environment;
• To have a sound understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and self-care that supports their physical and mental well-being;
• To have an up-to-date understanding of essential safeguarding issues, developing their knowledge of when and how they can ask for help;
• To understand their role as a citizen and how their actions can have an impact on others close to them and further afield.

PSHE helps children to acquire British Values and attitudes, which are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences within school and life itself; to value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and diversity: and feel confident and informed as a British citizen. We develop the children’s awareness of their personal safety and the process by which they can seek help and information, as well as learning the attitudes and behaviour expected of them as responsible citizen.

As a school, we feel that by increasing their awareness and knowledge of the world around them and providing opportunities for our children to develop their understanding, empathy, respect, fairness and acceptance of themselves and others, as well as providing them with a forum and confidence to ask questions, our children will be able to navigate their lives in a way that allows them to thrive and succeed.

At our school, every child takes part in a dedicated weekly PSHE lesson. Through our carefully designed curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead healthy, safe and successful lives, both now and in the future.

As you will see on the overview above, our PSHE curriculum is organised around three key themes and is taught progressively across the school:

• Autumn Term: Relationships
  Children learn about friendships, family relationships, respect, kindness, online relationships and understanding differences.

• Spring Term: Living in the Wider World
  Pupils explore their role within the community, British values, economic wellbeing, careers, citizenship and how they can make a positive contribution to society.

• Summer Term: Health and Wellbeing
  Children develop their understanding of physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, personal safety and strategies for managing emotions and challenges.

Our curriculum is progressive, meaning that key concepts are revisited and built upon each year. As pupils move through the school, they deepen their understanding and develop increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills that prepare them for the next stage of their education and beyond.

To ensure the highest quality provision, we use a range of accredited resources, including PodEd, which supports engaging, age-appropriate and evidence-informed learning. We are proud to be recognised within the top 5% of all PodEd schools for successful implementation, reflecting our commitment to delivering PSHE effectively and consistently across the school.

Children record their learning in dedicated PSHE books, providing opportunities to reflect on key concepts, respond to activities and demonstrate their understanding. Alongside written work, lessons place a strong emphasis on rich classroom discussion, giving pupils the confidence to express their views, listen respectfully to others and develop critical thinking skills.

Through our PSHE curriculum, we aim to nurture confident, respectful and resilient young people who are well prepared for life in modern Britain and beyond.

Subject Enrichment

Learning in PSHE extends far beyond our weekly lessons. We provide a wide range of enrichment opportunities that bring key themes to life and help children develop as active, responsible and compassionate citizens.

Throughout the year, pupils participate in an annual Safeguarding Week, where they explore important topics such as personal safety, online safety and trusted relationships. Children also take part in Remembrance Day commemorations, learning about service, sacrifice and respect, and engage with civil rights and equality-focused activities, which promote fairness, inclusion and an understanding of social justice.

Pupil voice is a key aspect of school life, and children have opportunities to make a meaningful contribution through our School Parliament, where representatives help shape decisions and champion the views of their peers. Children can also join the Mini-Police or Eco-Council. We also celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, raising awareness of emotional wellbeing and encouraging positive strategies for maintaining good mental health.

Our PSHE curriculum is further enriched through visits and visitors, enabling pupils to learn from a range of experts and members of the wider community. In addition, children take part in weekly Cultural Affairs Assemblies, which are linked to current events, key PSHE themes and British Values. These assemblies encourage thoughtful discussion, broaden pupils’ understanding of the world around them and help them appreciate the diverse communities in which they live.

Together, these experiences complement classroom learning and ensure that PSHE is an engaging, meaningful and memorable part of school life.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

At our school, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is an important part of preparing children for life in modern Britain. Through a carefully planned, age-appropriate Curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to build positive relationships, stay safe, maintain their physical and mental health, and make informed choices as they grow.

Our newly devised RSHE curriculum has been developed to ensure full alignment with the statutory requirements and outcomes introduced from September 2026. The Curriculum provides a clear, progressive pathway of learning from the Early Years through to Year 6, enabling children to revisit key concepts and deepen their understanding as they mature.

RSHE is taught sensitively and inclusively, reflecting the needs of our pupils and the values of our school community. Key areas of learning include:

• Families and caring relationships
• Friendships and respectful relationships
• Online relationships and digital safety
• Mental wellbeing
• Physical health and healthy lifestyles
• Keeping safe and seeking support
• Growing and changing
• Understanding the human body and puberty (in upper Key Stage 2)

We recognise that parents and carers are the primary educators of their children in matters relating to relationships and health. We therefore value strong partnerships between home and school and are committed to maintaining open communication regarding our RSHE provision.

For detailed information about the content taught in each year group, our approach to teaching sensitive topics, parental rights and the statutory expectations that underpin our Curriculum, parents and carers are encouraged to read our RSHE Policy (below). This document provides comprehensive guidance on how RSHE is delivered and how we ensure that all learning is age-appropriate, inclusive and supportive of every child’s development.

RSHE Policy Coming Soon