PSHE and RHE

Intent

We want our children at Blair Peach to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and to realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it.

We believe that good PSHE education helps children to develop their learning, that results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable the children to prepare to be a responsible global citizen now and, in the future, when they have a role to play within a global community.

We want children to develop a confidence in sharing their own thoughts and opinions, whilst showing tolerance of others, their beliefs, religions and life choices.  In PSHE, they will have the opportunity, through a broad and balanced curriculum to develop the skills and attributes to keep themselves healthy and safe and to build positive, respectful relationships with other people.    

Implementation

Blair Peach uses the London Borough of Ealing PSHE scheme of work.  This includes the overarching themes of health and wellbeing, living in the wider world and relationships where safeguarding, SMSC and British values are the golden threads throughout. Each theme begins with a whole school assembly.

The recently updated scheme of work includes many new topics including migration, charity, first aid, mental health and resilience, homelessness, drugs and alcohol education and relationships education.

PSHE lessons are 45mins – 1 hour each week for all year groups year 1 – 6. All lessons in each year group start off with a power point which recaps on what PSHE stands for, reminds them of the British Values, explains the PANTS rule and describes the ROCK rules (respect, openness, confidential and kind) to be used in the class lessons.

EYFS children benefit from receiving their PSHE interwoven throughout their school day.

Children are also made aware of their Rights though the UNICEF Rights of a Child. Children have the opportunities to learn their Rights through class charters that are regularly referred to in class and by participating in Article days and activities.

Impact

Children will know more and remember more about PSHE. The children will recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual Respect, Rule of Law and Liberty.

They will demonstrate a ready willingness and ability to try new things, push themselves and persevere when things get tough. Children will have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy and how to develop good relationships. They will have an appreciation of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse, multicultural society. They will have a strong self-awareness, interlinked with compassion of others.

Children will have a healthy outlook towards school with attendance to be in line with national and behaviour to be good.

PSHE refers to Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. Unlike other subjects within the curriculum PSHE enables children to learn through a holistic approach equipping them with a knowledge of everyday life and risks they may encounter.

Our new PSHE curriculum was designed, developed and agreed by teachers, subject leads and specialists. It is taught in many schools across the Ealing Borough. It has a wide range of child-centred activities to ensure the learning is enjoyable for pupils. PSHE is taught as a discrete lesson once a week but it also forms an integral part of the values and ethos of our school.

All lessons are taught with Power Points and are fully resourced for EYFS through to year six. Every lesson begins with reminders of Rock rules, the PANTs rule, online safety reminders and the British Values.

Every lesson from year 1 – 6 has a clear starter, main activity and plenary, (this is the end activity to consolidate and recap, also to clear up misconceptions and to inform future lessons). Each year group has an overarching question for each half term of learning and there is one for every lesson too.

The scheme of work is divided into three themes – one theme for each term. The Autumn term has the theme of Relationships and Health education. The Spring term has the theme of Living in the Wider World followed by Relationships and Health Education again in the summer.  The diagram below shows with a colour code when these themes are taught.

Autumn 1 – Relationships

During this half term, children across the school are exploring key topics that will help them understand themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. They will be learning about the importance of PSHE, what it means, how it can help them both now and in the future. Children will be learning to identify the people who matter most to them—whether that’s family, friends, or classmates—and understand the qualities that make a good friend. They’ll discuss making friends both in person and online, and tackle serious issues such as bullying, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, and how to respond to prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Children will learn to think about their own feelings and behaviour, learning about how friendships can evolve, and thinking ahead to the changes they’ll face when preparing for high school.

Autumn 2- Health Education

This half term, children in all year groups will be learning about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how it affects both their physical and mental well-being. They’ll explore why it’s crucial to stay healthy, including the role of good nutrition, regular exercise, and hygiene. Lessons will cover what foods to eat more of, how to read food labels, and the impact of sugar on their health. Children will also discuss the importance of good dental hygiene, and personal cleanliness. They’ll learn about the risks associated with substances like alcohol, smoking, vaping, and drugs, and how to make informed choices. Additionally, there will be a focus on mental health, including self-esteem, body image, and how physical and mental health are interconnected. Children will explore how to set goals, manage stress, and recognise the impact of sleep and energy levels on their well-being. This comprehensive approach encourages them to take responsibility for their health, both inside and out, and understand the importance of balance in their lives

Spring 1 - Living in the Wider World

This term, children will be learning about a range of important social and global topics that help them understand the world around them. They will explore why rules and laws are important, how communities’ function and change, and the roles we all play as responsible citizens. Lessons will cover rights and responsibilities, equality, and how individuals can make a positive impact on their communities and the environment. Children will also discuss real-world issues such as fake news, migration, inequality, and the dangers of extremism and terrorism, in an age-appropriate and thoughtful way. These topics are designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a strong sense of citizenship.

Spring 2 - Living in the Wider World

This half term, children will be exploring a wide range of engaging and thought-provoking topics designed to help them better understand themselves, their community, and the wider world. They will be learning about what makes them unique, identifying their strengths and interests, and considering how these can be used positively. The children will also explore the concept of charity, including ways to raise money and why supporting others is important. As part of understanding the world of work, they will learn about different jobs in the community, how people earn money, how to manage money wisely, and the importance of saving. The topic of careers will help them understand the difference between a job and a long-term career goal, encouraging them to think about their future aspirations. They will develop essential digital safety skills, including understanding how to stay safe online. Through PSHE lessons, pupils will learn to distinguish between facts, opinions, and bias, examine different forms of media, and explore how media can influence body image. They will also discuss the risks associated with gambling. Altogether, this learning aims to develop confident, informed, and responsible individuals ready to navigate the world around them.

Summer 1 - Relationships

This term, children will be learning important life skills around personal safety, health, and understanding their bodies as they grow. They will be learning and practising the PANTS rule/song to help them understand how to keep themselves safe, including identifying good and bad touches, and how to recognise and respond to different feelings. They'll also focus on safety in everyday situations, such as keeping safe around medicines and on the road, and learning how to maintain cleanliness. In addition, children will explore health topics like allergies, diabetes, and the use of glasses and hearing aids. They’ll discuss how to support a healthy brain and manage their thoughts and emotions. Understanding what harms and helps their bodies—whether it’s medicines, drugs, or healthy habits—will be a key part of their learning. They will also explore life changes, such as the life cycle, puberty, and the emotional and social changes that come with growing up. Topics like the menstrual cycle, gender equality, and the impact of hormones will help children understand the changes they may experience. They’ll learn about body changes related to reproduction and explore how beauty is portrayed differently around the world. The topic of aging in year 6 will introduce them to issues such as dementia, helping them think about the challenges people face as they get older.

Summer 2 - Relationships

This term, your child will be exploring a range of topics that focus on families, relationships, safety, and personal well-being. They will learn about the similarities and differences between families, reflecting on how their own family is unique and how it makes them feel and what it does for them. The children will also explore how families can change over time and the importance of understanding family history and culture. Through discussions on stereotypes, they will gain insight into what makes a family unique and learn to treat others with kindness, respect, and empathy. They will address issues like managing peer pressure, recognizing both positive risks and dangerous behaviour, and understanding how to react if someone is hurt, including basic first aid and life-saving techniques. They will distinguish between secrets and surprises, explore online pressures, and learn about commitment, marriage, and long-term relationships. The year six children will be thinking about the advice they could give to the following year six.

Throughout the year the skills developed in PSHE include:

• Active listening
• Affirming self and others
• Analysing and evaluating situations
• Awareness of own needs
• Communicating ideas and views to others
• Critical thinking
• Drawing conclusions
• Empathy
• Focusing on a goal
• Giving constructive feedback to others
• Making decisions and choices
• Managing risk and personal safety
• Managing stress and pressure
• Perception of how peers show feeling
• Planning
• Recognising distorted thinking
• Resilience
• Self-management
• Self-reflection
• Setting challenges and goals for self
• Team working

RHE - Relationships and Health Education

Relationships education is often misunderstood. It is important to remember that when we refer to relationships in primary school we are thinking about family and friendships.

In September 2019, Relationships and Health education became a statutory subject which all schools must teach, this was after changes made to the curriculum by the Department for Education.

Children today experience relationships both online and offline, often with little distinction between the two. The curriculum focuses on helping them be respectful, kind, and stay safe in all settings. As children may see different types of relationships from their own, it’s important that the curriculum reflects the diversity of today’s society. By teaching inclusively, we promote respect, tolerance, and the core values of healthy relationships—trust, love, and security.

Relationships and health education is one of the most powerful safeguarding tools we have.

Our curriculum helps children build confidence in discussing feelings and relationships, while developing important skills like empathy, respect, resilience, and communication. It also encourages them to think critically about media messages, understand how their bodies work, and feel comfortable with the changes they go through as they grow. Most importantly, it gives them the language and confidence to protect themselves and prepares them for puberty.

What parents can do at home:

Websites to help support parents at home

DIGISAFE- Parent SAFE

Home (lgfl.net)

The Situation - Kids, Puberty and Tech - Thorn for Parents

When children are taught RHE: