PSHE/RSE
Intent
At Stanley Primary School, our PSHE and RSE curriculum is designed to empower every child to become a confident, resilient, respectful and responsible member of society. Through a broad, inclusive and age-appropriate curriculum, we equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make informed decisions, build positive relationships, manage their physical and emotional wellbeing, and keep themselves safe in an ever-changing world. In line with the updated 2026 statutory RSHE guidance, we place a strong emphasis on safeguarding, personal safety, healthy relationships, online wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and respect for others. We aim to develop children's character, independence and emotional literacy, fostering a culture where every pupil feels valued, listened to and supported. By providing meaningful learning experiences rooted in our school “Stanley values”, we prepare children not only for the next stage of their education but also for life as compassionate, active and responsible citizens.
Implementation
EYFS - In the Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - At Key Stages 1 and 2, PSHE and RSE is taught through a planned, progressive and inclusive curriculum using the 1Decision Scheme of Work, which has been fully updated to reflect the statutory 2026 Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. The curriculum is mapped against the PSHE Association Programme of Study and encompasses the three core themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World.
As part of our implementation of the updated RSHE guidance, lessons place a strong emphasis on safeguarding, healthy and respectful relationships, personal safety, emotional wellbeing, online and digital safety, consent, boundaries, inclusion, diversity and preparing children for life in modern Britain. Learning is delivered in an age-appropriate manner that reflects pupils' stages of development and equips them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed, responsible decisions.
The spiral nature of the '1Decision' curriculum delivery, ensures that key concepts are revisited and built upon throughout a child's primary education, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding and apply their learning in a range of real-life contexts. Through interactive lessons, discussion-based activities and short-film scenarios with alternative endings, children are encouraged to think critically, consider the consequences of choices, challenge stereotypes, develop resilience and understand how to access support when required.
At Stanley, in addition to Relationships Education, we teach the aspects of Sex Education that is covered in our Science Curriculum. The non-statutory aspect of Sex Education – conception – is taught in year 6 through the 1Decision resources. Parents are fully consulted in this process and the age and development of pupils is considered when delivering the lessons.
PSHE is taught through 1Decision’s modules. They run from Year 1 – 3, and then from Year 4 – 6 with each module being revisited each year in a spiral manner, focussing on new age and maturity-related concepts:
Years 1 – 3
- Keeping and Staying Safe
- Keeping and Staying Healthy
- Relationships/Growing & Changing
- Being Responsible
- Feelings & Emotions
- Computer/Online Safety
- Our World
- Hazard Watch
- Fire Safety
Year 4 - 6
- Keeping and Staying Safe
- Keeping and Staying Healthy
- Relationships/Growing & Changing
- Being Responsible
- Feelings & Emotions
- Computer Safety
- The Working World
- A World Without Judgement
- First Aid
The modules also identify links to British Values and SMSC, and are taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of the Stanley Values.
Wider Curriculum
We believe that developing a 'Growth Mindset' in our children will help them to build resilience, independence and confidence. It will encourage them to embrace challenge; foster a love of learning; and increase their level of happiness. We do this through the language we use in class, praising children for their efforts, and using language to encourage children to change their way of thinking. This supports both our Stanley Curriculum Drivers, and our PSHE aims and values.
Visitors such as PCSOs and the school nurse complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning.
We encourage our pupils to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.
We challenge all of our pupils to look for opportunities to show the school values: sensible, motivated, aiming high, resilient, team players, enthusiastic and respectful, and the children are rewarded for doing so.
Assemblies are linked to PSHE, British Values and SMSC and cover any additional sessions that would benefit the whole school.
Stanley School Values, PSHE, British Values, Protected Characteristics and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum, enabling children to make links and to reinforce their understanding.
Impact
By the time our children leave Stanley, they will:
- be able to approach a range of real-life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life
- be on their way to becoming healthy, open minded, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society
- appreciate difference and diversity
- recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty
- be able to understand and manage their emotions
- be able to look after their mental health and well-being
- be able to develop positive, healthy relationships with their peers both now and in the future.
- understand the physical aspects involved in RSE at an age appropriate level
- have respect for themselves and others.
- have positive self esteem