Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)

Intent

At Halsford Park Primary School, our PSHE and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum nurtures the development of the whole child through carefully sequenced learning that builds the knowledge, skills and attitudes pupils need to thrive in modern society.

Guided by our core values of Responsibility, Respect, Courage and Compassion, we create an inclusive environment where every child feels represented, supported and valued. Through engaging and purposeful learning, pupils develop resilience, confidence, independence and curiosity, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing, relationships and safety.

Our curriculum follows the Kapow Primary PSHE and RSE scheme, fully meeting the statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Education (2025), while also providing wider PSHE and Citizenship education. It promotes safeguarding, online safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, helping pupils understand rights, responsibilities, consent, personal boundaries and how to seek support when needed. By explicitly promoting British values and celebrating diversity, our curriculum prepares children to become respectful, compassionate and active citizens who contribute positively to their school community and wider society, both now and in the future.

For further information on the Statutory guidance, please click on the link below. 

Statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, and teachers

 

From the Department of Education (2021)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe/personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-education

“Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. All schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice, and this expectation is outlined in the introduction to the proposed new national curriculum.

PSHE is a non-statutory subject. To allow teachers the flexibility to deliver high-quality PSHE we consider it unnecessary to provide new standardised frameworks or programmes of study. PSHE can encompass many areas of study. Teachers are best placed to understand the needs of their pupils and do not need additional central prescription.

However, while we believe that it is for schools to tailor their local PSHE programme to reflect the needs of their pupils, we expect schools to use their PSHE education programme to equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.

Schools should seek to use PSHE education to build, where appropriate, on the statutory content already outlined in the national curriculum, the basic school curriculum and in statutory guidance on: drug education, financial education, sex and relationship education (SRE) and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.”

How we show the Core Values in PSHE

For information on how we teach Relationship and Sex Education, please see our dedicated page: Relationship & Sex Education

Key Aspects of LGBT+ Inclusive Education at Halsford Park

Curriculum Integration: Not a separate topic, but woven into regular lessons, including stories with same-sex couples, diverse family structures and exploring LGBT+ figures in history and science. 

Age-Appropriate Content: Introducing concepts like different families in primary school and facts about sexuality and gender identity in secondary school, tailoring to developing understanding.

Skills Development: Teaching children to identify discriminatory language, challenge stereotypes, and develop empathy for others.

Mental Health & Safety: Reducing bullying, improving self-esteem, and ensuring LGBT+ students feel safe, happy, and seen.

Resources & Support: Utilising free resources from charities like Just Like Us and Twinkl, incorporating guest speakers, and training staff.

Legal & Ethical Basis: Schools have a duty to promote equality. 

Examples of Activities & Resources

• Storybooks about diverse families, crafts like rainbow flags, discussing different family structures.
• Assemblies to explain Pride Month  
• Rainbow Day: a focused day that is planned to help children understand who they can turn to for support and celebrate what makes everyone unique. It also contributes to our ongoing work toward the Rainbow Flag Award and aligns closely with our school’s Core Values - particularly the importance of respecting others, regardless of sexuality.
• Books
• Assemblies

• KS1- LGBT History Month 
• KS2- LGBT History Month
• KS1- Pride Month
• KS2- Pride Month

LGBTQ+ History Learning Activities for KS1 and KS2 Year Group

Year 1 and 2

• All About Sir Elton John
• Year 1 Glasses Template
• Year 2 Elton John Fact File Template

Year 3

• All About Sally Ride
• Sally Ride Bio Poster
• Design a Rocket

Year 4

• All About Barbara Burford
• Barbara Burford Bio Poster
• The Amazing Barbara Burford

Year 5

• All About Ben Barres
• Ben Barres Bio Poster
• Introducing Ben Barres
• Ben Barres Colouring

Year 6

• Key Info- Alan Turing
• Alan Turing Assembly- Lesson Slides
• Alan Turing Diary Entries
• Coded Messages
• Quotes

Rainbow Day 2026

• KS1 Rainbow Day Assembly
• KS2 Rainbow Day Assembly
• Art Project- Rainbow Day
• Early Years- Presentation
• Year 1- Presentation
• Year 2- Presentation
• Year 3- Presentation
• Year 4- Presentation
• Year 5- Presentation
• Year 6- Presentation

Parents can request withdrawal from specific topics within RSE.

If you have any questions or would like further information about how PSHE or RSE is taught in our school, please contact the school office, who will pass your questions to our subject champion. See our contact page on the school website for contact details: Contact Details