Intent

At St Mary’s C of E Primary School, the intent of our PSHE curriculum is to provide a rich, inclusive and accessible programme that supports the development of the whole child, enabling every pupil to flourish personally, socially, morally and spiritually. Our curriculum reflects our core Christian values of Thankfulness, Community, Compassion, Truthfulness, Courage and Forgiveness, while promoting British Values and fulfilling our safeguarding responsibilities.

We aim to ensure all children:

• Know more, remember more, and understand more about themselves and others.

• Develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives safely and healthily.

• Build confidence, resilience, and respect in relationships and everyday situations.

• Become thoughtful, responsible citizens of their school, local community, and the wider world.

PSHE at St Mary’s helps children navigate moral, social, emotional and cultural challenges as they grow, while supporting their mental health and enabling them to become reflective, respectful, and compassionate individuals.

Implementation

We deliver PSHE and RSE through the Kapow Primary Scheme of Learning, adapted to follow a two-year rolling programme suitable for our mixed-age classes. The curriculum is structured around six key strands:

1. Families and Relationships

2. Health and Wellbeing

3. Safety and the Changing Body

4. Citizenship

5. Economic Wellbeing

6. Transition (Year 6)

These strands are taught through high-quality, engaging lessons that include discussions, real-life scenarios, and opportunities for personal reflection. Lessons are taught weekly and supported by our wider whole-school ethos, worship, themed weeks (e.g. Anti-Bullying Week, Mental Health Week), and cross-curricular links.

We use mindfulness practices to support emotional regulation and mental health, including informal daily activities and sessions with a Mindfulness Mentor, who works with individuals and groups throughout the year.

All staff receive regular training to deliver PSHE effectively and sensitively. Lessons are inclusive, differentiated where needed, and adapted for pupils with SEND. Teaching encourages open dialogue, mutual respect, and provides a safe space for all pupils to express their thoughts and ask questions.

Impact

By the end of each key stage, pupils at St Mary’s will have developed the knowledge, skills and emotional literacy to:

• Keep themselves physically and emotionally safe, including online.

• Form and maintain healthy, respectful relationships.

• Understand and manage their feelings and behaviour.

• Recognise the impact of their choices on others and the world around them.

• Approach challenges with resilience, confidence, and courage.

• Make informed, positive choices about their health, wellbeing, learning and future.

Pupil progress is monitored through observation, pupil voice, and informal assessments. Regular reviews and feedback from staff, pupils, and parents help to shape and improve the delivery of the curriculum.

The result is a strong foundation for lifelong learning, wellbeing, and citizenship—fully aligned with our Christian vision of enabling every child to "live life in all its fullness" (John 10:10).