At Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) and Relationships, Sex and Health Education support our commitment to “Searching faithfully for excellence,” rooted in our Gospel values of love, respect, stewardship, honesty, hope, justice and forgiveness. We believe that every child should feel valued and develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to care for themselves and others. Through this learning, children build positive relationships, make informed choices and understand their responsibilities within our school, community and wider world.

Key Aims

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum supports children’s personal development progressively from Nursery to Year 6. We strive to:

• Develop self-awareness, confidence and an understanding of feelings.

• Help children build healthy, respectful relationships and recognise the qualities of friendship.

• Teach children about personal boundaries, keeping safe and seeking help.

• Develop an understanding of physical and mental wellbeing and healthy habits.

• Encourage respect for others, recognising the dignity and worth of every person.

• Build independence, practical life skills and a sense of responsibility towards others.

Content and Skills

We teach PSHE through our school-designed curriculum, with learning organised around three termly themes:

• Autumn – Health, Wellbeing and Safety: understanding emotions, developing healthy habits and learning how to stay safe.

• Spring – Relationships, Respect and Community: building positive relationships, appreciating different perspectives and contributing to our community.

• Summer – Life Skills, Citizenship and the Wider World: developing independence, practical skills and an understanding of our responsibilities in the wider world.

RSE is taught through the Ten Ten programme, reflecting the Catholic understanding of the dignity of every person. Children learn about loving relationships, respect, personal boundaries, keeping safe and growing up. Teaching is sensitive to pupils’ ages, development and individual needs.

In Nursery and Reception, this learning begins through Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED). Stories, play, discussion and daily routines help children recognise feelings, develop friendships, build independence and learn to care for themselves and others.

Across school, children have opportunities to discuss ideas, explore everyday situations, ask questions and practise making thoughtful decisions.

Progression

Learning is carefully sequenced so that children revisit important ideas and develop a deeper understanding as they grow. Early learning about feelings, friendships and self-care provides the foundations for exploring more complex relationships, responsibilities and choices.

As pupils progress through school, they become more confident in expressing their views, considering different perspectives and applying their knowledge to everyday situations. They learn to recognise when something feels wrong and identify trusted people who can help.

Teachers assess understanding through discussion, observation, activities and reflection. Teaching and resources are adapted to ensure that all children can access the learning, contribute and make progress.

Wider Impact

PSHE and RSE support children’s wellbeing, confidence and readiness for life. Pupils develop the skills to communicate clearly, manage challenges, maintain positive relationships and make choices that support their health and safety.

Our Gospel values guide children in putting their learning into practice. Love, respect and honesty shape how they communicate; justice and forgiveness help them respond to difficulties; and hope and stewardship encourage them to care for themselves, others and God’s world.

We recognise parents and carers as children’s first educators and value our partnership with families. We share information about learning, inform families before sensitive topics are taught and welcome discussion about the curriculum and teaching materials.

Through PSHE and RSE, we aim to nurture compassionate, responsible and confident children who can contribute positively to their communities and approach the next stage of their lives with growing independence.