PSHE and RSE
PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people 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 thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.
What do schools have to teach in PSHE Education?
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.
From September 2020, primary schools in England also need to teach Relationships and Health Education as compulsory subjects and the Department for Education strongly recommends this should also include age-appropriate Sex Education.
Schools also have statutory responsibilities to safeguard their pupils (Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE, 2019) and to uphold the Equality Act (2010).
RSE & PSHE Curriculum at Kyson Primary School
Our Approach
At Kyson, we are committed to helping our pupils grow into confident, healthy, and caring individuals. Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE) and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum supports children in understanding themselves and others, forming positive relationships, and making thoughtful choices that benefit both their wellbeing and that of the wider community.
Key Learning Goals
Our curriculum encourages pupils to: - Think with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness. - Respect diversity and understand different perspectives. - Build resilience, emotional literacy, and self-confidence. - Understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Lessons are carefully designed to help pupils navigate the world safely and with care, preparing them for life’s challenges with maturity and compassion. Teachers are supported with clear guidance and engaging resources, ensuring every child can participate fully and reach their potential as kind, responsible individuals.
Meeting Statutory Guidance
Kyson’s RSE & PSHE curriculum meets the statutory requirements of the Department for Education’s Relationships Education, RSE, and Health Education guidance. The curriculum is being updated to meet the new guidance, which comes into effect from September 2026, with new lessons ready for the 2026/27 school year.
Key Areas of Learning
Our curriculum is structured around five main areas, with an additional focus on Identity in Year 6 to support the transition to secondary school:
1. Family and Relationships
Learning how to form respectful relationships, manage conflict, challenge stereotypes, and understand bullying.
2. Health and Wellbeing
Exploring strategies for looking after mental and physical health, including healthy eating, sleep, relaxation, and sun safety.
3. Safety and the Changing Body
Understanding first aid, safety around medicines, online safety, road safety, and puberty.
4. Citizenship
Learning about human rights, democracy, diversity, community, and protecting the environment.
5. Economic Wellbeing
Developing skills in budgeting, spending, saving money, and exploring career choices.
6. Identity (Year 6 only)
Examining what makes people who they are and exploring body image.
How Learning Progresses
Our RSE & PSHE curriculum is carefully planned so that knowledge and skills build year by year. Key concepts are revisited and explored in more depth as pupils progress through school, helping them consolidate learning, gain confidence, and develop the personal skills they need for the future.
Developing Knowledge and Skills
Pupils gain three types of knowledge: - Substantive knowledge – Facts and information. - Personal knowledge – Understanding themselves and others. - Applied knowledge – Using what they learn in real-life situations.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is woven throughout the curriculum, helping pupils to: - Build positive online relationships. - Protect their privacy. - Recognise misinformation. - Manage their wellbeing online.
Supporting Personal Development
Our curriculum supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development and promotes British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect. It also enriches cultural capital, helping pupils understand their rights and responsibilities as members of the local and global community.
Continuity and Inclusion
From Reception through to Year 6, our curriculum ensures continuity and progression. It is inclusive, representing a wide range of cultures, experiences, and perspectives, challenging stereotypes, and helping children to understand and respect diversity.
Our Mission
At Kyson, we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive, make informed decisions, and contribute positively to the world around them.
