PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. It is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. Whilst it is a non-statutory subject, it includes a range of statutory content outlined in the national curriculum and within specific guidance on safeguarding, drug education, financial education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and health education.

At The Stoke Poges School we are committed to providing a broad an balanced life-skills curriculum through PSHE education. This is taught through the three strands of Relationships and Sex Education and Living in the Wider World. Our PSHE curriculum is essential to providing pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to manage their lives now, and in the future. Through quality delivery, it aims to develop:

• Confident individuals who know and understand how to live safe, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
• Young people who are able to maintain positive, respectful and healthy relationships, within which they can thrive personally and socially
• Responsible citizens who understand they have the rights and responsibilities that help to make a positive contribution to society
• Successful learners who enjoy discovering new knowledge, making progress and achieving success

Our approach

We use the Jigsaw mindful and child centred approach to PSHE. It integrates personal, social, health and economic education with an emphasis on emotional literacy, mental health and SMSC, especially spiritual development. Jigsaw aims to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people in our ever-changing world. It is a comprehensive scheme for the whole of Primary school from Reception to Year 6.  

Our curriculum covers the development and learning of children in health, relationships and mental wellbeing and actively promotes children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development.

The knowledge and skills across the three main strands of PSHE education build sequentially through the following topics:

• Being in my world
• Celebrating differences
• Dreams and Goals
• Healthy Me
• Relationships
• Changing Me

Our PSHE curriculum, including RSE, is regularly reviewed to reflect the needs of the pupil population. In addition to regular PSHE lessons, we include specific teaching on wellbeing and mindfulness as well as enabling pupils to be reflective and able to self-regulate through an approach called the Zones of Regulation. PSHE teaching often works with pupils’ real-life experiences, addressing a range of personal, social, emotional and health issues. A safe, supportive and respectful learning environment is created by establishing clear ground rules, developed and agreed with all pupils. Lessons are also characterised by active and interactive engagement. In every unit, a variety of information sheets, visual aids, games, story books, pictures and drawing, role play and visits by external professionals and theatre groups, for example. The non-statutory content relating to sex education is offered in the 'Changing Me' term. Arrangements for parents to withdraw pupils from sex education lessons are clearly set out in the PSHE and RSE policy on our website.

As an inclusive school, we value the difference and diversity within our school community and the wider world. As such, PSHE education is delivered within the context of our school values.

We believe that pupils should receive comprehensive, balanced and accurate information that relates to their needs. In exploring their own feelings and attitudes, and those of peers and wider society, our pupils are able to develop values on which to base decisions about relationships, health and living in the wider world.

Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)

Our RSE curriculum is designed to match guidelines from the Department of Education. We believe that knowledge empowers and protects children as long as what is being taught and discussed is age appropriate. At secondary school, Sex Education is statutory and we believe that primary schools should prepare children with accurate knowledge in preparation for entry to secondary school.

The correct terminology is introduced early to normalise this biological vocabulary and start to support safeguarding.

If parents / carers wish to withdraw their child from the sex education elements of the RSE curriculum, we first ask that they have a discussion with their child’s class teacher, followed by contacting the Headteacher or completing a withdrawal request form. Please note that Sex Education is not the same as Relationships Education, so a conversation with the school is important to ensure there is a full understanding of the aspects of the curriculum a child can be withdrawn from.