PSHE at St Laurence's

What is PSHE Education?

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, 2022) and to uphold the Equality Act (2010).

Intent

St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School is committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for all pupils.

Our curriculum determines and underpins the whole ethos of our school. Our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum enables our children to become healthy, safe, independent and responsible members of society, bringing together citizenship with personal and mental well-being, whilst promoting fundamental British values.

We wish to offer a cohesive whole-school approach which aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

We are dedicated to ensuring that St Laurence’s is a happy, stimulating and caring place and we expect high standards of behaviour, excellent manners and an excellent attitude to learning throughout the school.

Implementation

At St Laurence’s Catholic Primary, we use a variety of resources and world-wide events to ensure full coverage of the PSHE curriculum. We follow guidance from Liverpool Archdiocese, using the scheme ‘A Journey in Love’ to ensure teaching of Relationships and Sex Education is centred on God.

A Journey in Love ensures an in depth understanding of the Social, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual aspects of learning. Our Core Values of Love, Respect and Justice underpin all that we do and we celebrate a value each month, through assemblies and class activities.

High quality texts enable us to teach aspects of the Equality Act 2010 from Nursery to Year 6. It is a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same area of the curriculum at the same time.

Our PSHE curriculum aims to provide pupils with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values and skills they need in order to reach their potential as individuals and within the community. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities.

Pupils learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. They reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

They learn to understand and respect our common humanity; diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life and learning.

Although PSHE is taught through discreet lessons, it also underpins all activities, assemblies, educational visits and extra-curricular clubs.

We encourage our children to take part in a range of practical roles and activities that promote active citizenship. Pupils are involved in whole school fundraising, supporting younger pupils – such as buddies and engagement in school and local community and national charitable events.

Children have opportunities to meet and work with members of the community.

We also participate in, and promote National events.

Impact

Our PSHE curriculum will support the development of the skills, attitudes, values and behaviour, which enable pupils to:

Have a sense of purpose
Value self and others
Form relationships
Make and act on informed decisions
Communicate effectively
Work with others
Respond to challenge
Be an active partner in their own learning
Be active citizens within the local community
Explore issues related to living in a democratic society
Become healthy and fulfilled individuals