Intent

At Belsay Primary School, our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is designed to help children develop into healthy, independent and responsible members of society. Rooted in our vision to nurture citizens of global change, our PSHE curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and values to make informed decisions, form positive relationships and act with empathy and social responsibility.

Our curriculum aligns with the PSHE Association’s three core themes - Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World - and fully incorporates the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. It promotes emotional literacy, mental health, physical wellbeing and a clear understanding of personal safety, including age-appropriate RSE. Embedded throughout are the British Values and the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010, ensuring inclusivity and respect for diversity.

We aim to create a safe and inclusive environment where children learn to:

• Recognise and manage emotions

• Build and maintain healthy relationships

• Understand their rights and responsibilities

• Respect differences and value equality

• Make safe and healthy lifestyle choices

• Develop aspirations and economic understanding
   

Implementation

Our PSHE curriculum is carefully structured across a two-year cycle and is taught in all year groups from EYFS to Year 6. It is:

• Sequential and progressive: Concepts are revisited and deepened across key stages, ensuring age-appropriate learning and development of key life skills.

• Mapped to the statutory RSHE guidance: RSE content is integrated within broader themes and delivered sensitively and inclusively, using high-quality resources such as NSPCC’s PANTS and age-appropriate materials for topics like puberty and consent. Science lessons in Year 5/6 cover conception and birth

• Inclusive and reflective of society: The curriculum is designed to reflect the diverse world 🌈 in which we live. Lessons include Protected Characteristics  🗭c️ and British Values 🇬🇧 throughout (or both 🗭c️🇬🇧), embedding equality and respect.

• Linked to EYFS Development Matters: In Reception, learning focuses on developing self-awareness, relationships, health habits and community participation through play and storytelling.

• Creative and engaging: Lessons use a ‘Make a Fuss’ structure to highlight key teaching points, with interactive activities such as role-play, journaling, games and real-life scenarios to enhance engagement and understanding.

 

 

Our curriculum is flexible and responsive to local needs, with the scope to address current issues affecting pupils, including online safety, mental health, and anti-social behaviour. Through all that we teach we ensure it is acceptable to all ability groups so the learning is explicit in your delivery and monitoring.

Impact

Throughout their time at Belsay, pupils engage in meaningful discussions, explore age-appropriate scenarios and take part in inclusive and interactive lessons that are tailored to reflect their developmental stage and local context. The consistent use of our ‘Make a Fuss!’ approach ensures that key messages are remembered, internalised and acted upon.

As a result:

• Children leave Belsay with strong emotional literacy and the confidence to speak up for themselves and others.
   

• They demonstrate empathy, respect and tolerance, both within school and in the wider community.
   

• Pupils understand how to stay physically and mentally healthy, manage risk and make safe, informed choices.
   

• They are equipped with the tools to recognise and challenge discrimination and stereotypes and to actively promote inclusion.
   

• Through regular reflection and skill-building, they are prepared to face life’s challenges with resilience and responsibility.
   

Ultimately, our PSHE curriculum lays the foundation for children to flourish as proactive citizens who are respectful of difference, confident in themselves and committed to making a positive contribution to their community and beyond.

All staff delivering the RSHE curriculum will have the correct level of training and additional support, should it be required. 

Click below to find a full breakdown of the statutory requirements linked to the National Curriculum, linked to this planning document:

PSHE Statutory Requirements - Belsay Coverage

RSE Statutory Requirements - Belsay Coverage

Diversity - Belsay Coverage