PSHE
At Holme Valley Primary School, we believe that Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education plays a vital role in preparing children for life in modern Britain. Our curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to develop into confident, resilient and responsible citizens who value themselves and others.
Through our carefully sequenced curriculum, delivered using the Pol-Ed programme, children learn how to build healthy relationships, recognise and manage risk, understand their rights and responsibilities and make informed decisions about their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Our curriculum reflects the needs of our school community and provides opportunities for pupils to explore diversity, equality and inclusion while developing respect for different beliefs, cultures and lifestyles. Learning is progressive, inclusive and age-appropriate, enabling children to revisit and build upon key concepts throughout their primary education.
We aim for every child leaving Holme Valley Primary School to:
- develop positive, respectful relationships;
- understand how to keep themselves and others safe, including online;
- recognise and manage their emotions effectively;
- understand the changes that occur as they grow and develop;
- make informed choices that support their physical and mental health;
- appreciate diversity and challenge discrimination;
- understand the law and their responsibilities within society;
- become active, responsible citizens who contribute positively to their community.
Our PSHE curriculum supports safeguarding, promotes children's personal development and underpins our wider curriculum by preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
Our PSHE curriculum is delivered through the Pol-Ed programme, which has been developed by teachers, safeguarding specialists and police professionals. The curriculum is fully aligned with the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, the PSHE Association Programme of Study and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Learning is organised into four key strands:
- Relationships
- Keeping Safe
- Understanding the Law
- Wellbeing
These themes are revisited throughout a child's primary education, allowing pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in an age-appropriate and progressive way.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Children begin to develop positive friendships, recognise and express their feelings, understand the importance of kindness and respect, identify trusted adults and begin to learn how to stay safe both at home and at school.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
Pupils develop their understanding of healthy friendships, different family structures and respectful relationships. They begin to learn about personal safety, online safety, emergencies, recognising unsafe situations and understanding simple rules and laws that help keep people safe.
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
Children build on their understanding of relationships by exploring boundaries, peer influence, respect and inclusion. They learn about physical and emotional wellbeing, body changes and puberty, personal safety, online risks, and begin to develop a greater understanding of the law and how their choices affect themselves and others.
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)
Pupils deepen their understanding of healthy relationships, consent, personal responsibility and respectful behaviour. They explore more complex aspects of physical and emotional health, puberty and reproduction, online safety, exploitation, criminal responsibility, citizenship and how to make informed, responsible choices as they prepare for secondary school.
Throughout all year groups, children are encouraged to develop resilience, confidence, empathy and critical thinking. Our aim is to ensure every child leaves Holme Valley equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to stay safe, maintain positive relationships and become responsible members of society.
To support us with our Relationships and Sex Education, the children will be completing their learning on Health, Relationships and Growing Up as part of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum during the first week back in September. These lessons are designed to be age-appropriate and support children in developing an understanding of healthy relationships, personal well-being, body changes and growing up in a safe, respectful and sensitive way. The content follows the statutory Relationships and Health Education guidance.
If you require any further information about our PSHE curriculum, please contact the school office and our subject leader will get back to you.
