INTENT
PSHE and Citizenship at St Edward’s CE Academy aims to equip pupils with the essential skills they need for life. Our curriculum supports the whole child, developing the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to stay safe, healthy, confident, and able to form positive relationships. Pupils learn how to become active, responsible citizens who can participate meaningfully in their community. These lessons help pupils build identity, self-esteem, and resilience while covering key social, moral, spiritual, and cultural themes, including British Values. They also provide important safeguarding education and teach pupils when and how to seek help.
Our long-term plan follows a thematic model based on the PSHE Association Programme of Study, recommended by the DfE. The curriculum meets the requirements of the 2020 Statutory Relationships and Health Education guidance and is structured around three core areas: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World.
| Health and Wellbeing | Relationships | Living in the Wider World |
| Topics include Personal identity Keeping safe Healthy lifestyles (eg diet, mental health, effects of smoking, alcohol) | Topics include Healthy relationships – family and friends Relationships and Sex Education Diversity – tackling prejudice and discrimination | Topics include Economic wellbeing Employability and enterprise Careers Rights and Responsibilities |
The three core PSHE units are taught in a spiral curriculum, revisiting each theme every two years. This helps pupils recall prior learning and deepen their understanding in age‑appropriate ways. The curriculum is mapped across subjects to support strong links—for example, teaching the science of puberty alongside its emotional impact. Lessons also highlight key vocabulary to strengthen pupils’ understanding.
In PSHE and RSE lessons pupils develop their understanding of:
- Identity – personal qualities, influences, privacy, and online boundaries.
- Relationships – different types of relationships and how they function, including online.
- Healthy lifestyles – physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, balance, and informed choices.
- Risk and safety – identifying, assessing, and managing risk in everyday and online settings.
- Diversity and equality – understanding difference and the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010.
- Rights, responsibilities, and consent – including human rights, fairness, justice, and consent in different contexts.
- Change and resilience – strategies for managing challenges and developing inner strength.
- Power – how power works, including bullying, persuasion, coercion, and conflict resolution.
- Careers and economic understanding – employability skills, enterprise, and financial awareness.
A key principle of high‑quality PSHE education is that it is inclusive and relevant for all pupils. Resources are gender‑neutral where appropriate and avoid assumptions about socio‑economic background, culture, family structure, or sexual orientation.
IMPLEMENTATION
PSHE is taught by House Tutors in a weekly lesson (30 lessons a year), supported by three Drop Down Days. These days allow whole‑year activities, sessions from external experts—such as Holocaust Educational Trust workshops, careers events, financial education from NatWest, youth workers, and road safety officers—and specialist teaching on topics like online safety, PREVENT, and contraception.
Lessons use creative approaches such as discussion, role play, and games to build pupils’ confidence and resilience. Resources come from PSHE Association‑recommended providers, including Premier League Primary Stars, Loudmouth, NSPCC, Childline, and ThinkUKnow, ensuring materials are age‑appropriate and meet curriculum needs.
Assessment in PSHE goes beyond checking factual knowledge. It focuses on how pupils grow and change over time, including:
- Increased knowledge – “Before I only knew…, now I also know…”
- Shifts in belief or understanding – “I used to feel…, but now I feel…”
- Richer vocabulary – “Before I would have said…, now I can say…”
- Improved skills – “Before I didn’t know how to…, now I can…”
- New strategies – “Before I wouldn’t have known what to do…, now I know effective ways to…”
- Greater confidence – “Before I couldn’t/wouldn’t…, now I feel able to…”
- Challenged assumptions – “Before I thought…, now I realise that was a myth or stereotype.”
IMPACT
Pupils develop the vocabulary and confidence to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe, respectful environment and learn when and how to seek support. They apply their understanding of society to everyday interactions in school and the wider community. A broad PSHE curriculum helps build a school culture that values physical and mental wellbeing, giving pupils the skills to understand their needs, practise self‑care, and support others.
High‑quality PSHE has a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic progress, by reducing social and emotional barriers to learning and strengthening confidence and self‑esteem. It is especially valuable for disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils, helping raise aspirations and providing tools to overcome challenges. This ensures all pupils can develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to succeed in school and beyond.