PSHE

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) at Smithdown Primary School

Intent

At Smithdown Primary School, together we grow into confident, resilient, and compassionate individuals who are well prepared for life in modern Britain and the wider world.

Our PSHE curriculum empowers children with the knowledge, understanding, and emotional literacy they need to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives. We want every child to develop high aspirations, a strong sense of self-worth, and the belief that they can make a positive difference to their community and beyond.

In an ever-changing world, we aim to help children:

• Understand how to maintain good mental and physical health.

• Build healthy, respectful, and safe relationships.

• Recognise and manage emotions in themselves and others.

• Develop the confidence to express their ideas and beliefs respectfully.

• Appreciate diversity and value equality.

• Make informed choices that support wellbeing, safety, and success.

Our PSHE curriculum underpins all areas of school life and supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, preparing them to become active, responsible citizens.

Through our ethos of “Together We Grow,” PSHE ensures that every child develops the skills, values, and mindset needed to thrive personally and contribute positively to society.

Implementation

Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Early Years, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is central to all learning. Following Birth to Five Matters and the PSED Early Learning Goals, children learn to form relationships, manage feelings, and develop a positive sense of self. The Jigsaw scheme of work enhances this through circle times, stories, and play-based experiences that build empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

In KS1 and KS2, PSHE is taught through the Jigsaw Programme, which provides a clear progression of knowledge, vocabulary, and skills. Lessons are sequenced to build emotional intelligence, resilience, and respect, helping pupils understand their role within their families, school, community, and society.

Each half term, pupils explore one of Jigsaw’s six themes:

• Being Me in My World

• Celebrating Difference

• Dreams and Goals

• Healthy Me

• Relationships

• Changing Me

This approach integrates mindfulness and reflective practices to help children manage emotions, improve concentration, and build self-awareness.

Our curriculum is personalised using Liverpool City Council’s PSHE planning, ensuring learning is relevant to our local context and responsive to the issues affecting our community.

Relationships and Health Education (RHE) is fully embedded within PSHE and delivered in an age-appropriate way. It ensures pupils understand body changes, consent, online safety, and the principles of positive, respectful relationships.

PSHE is also enriched through:

• Forest School sessions and outdoor learning, developing teamwork, resilience, and wellbeing.

• Parent engagement events, including campfires and shared outdoor activities.

• Whole-school assemblies, where British Values, diversity, and kindness are celebrated.

Across all phases, teachers model and nurture social and emotional skills such as sharing, empathy, conflict resolution, and responsibility. Children learn to take an active part in school and community life, living out our values of respect, tolerance, and care for others.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Smithdown Primary School, they have developed the skills, attitudes, and values needed to lead healthy, happy and successful lives. They are able to:

• Approach real-life situations with confidence, resilience, and empathy.

• Articulate their thoughts and emotions clearly, using respectful communication.

• Demonstrate understanding of diversity, equality, and British Values.

• Maintain positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.

• Recognise how to stay physically healthy and safe in a range of contexts.

• Build and sustain healthy, respectful relationships.

• Understand and manage change, including physical and emotional development.

• Take responsibility for their actions, contribute to their community, and show respect for others.

• Value themselves and others, showing pride and self-esteem.

Through PSHE, pupils leave Smithdown prepared to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world. They know how to stay safe, make informed choices, and care for both themselves and others — embodying our school ethos of “Together We Grow.”

Click here to see our PHSE whole school overview

Please click here to read about Progression Across PHSE/RHSE 

Detailed information for parents about each unit of work can be made available on request.

Relationships Health and Sex Education (RHSE)

In line with statutory guidance, we conducted a thorough consultation process with parents on our RSE policy. Following this engagement, and taking their views into careful consideration, we decided to include Sex Education as part of our RSHE curriculum. Please click here to read the agreed policy along with details of the curriculum content.

Please click here to read the DFE guidelines regarding RHSE

Please speak to a member of staff to read about / discuss our teaching approach to LBGTQ

Please speak to a member of staff to read about / discuss our approach to gender identity