PSHE

At Blaydon West Primary School, we believe that Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is fundamental to every child's personal development, wellbeing and future success. Through a carefully planned and inclusive curriculum, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to stay safe, healthy and prepared for life in modern Britain.

Implementation

Lessons build progressively upon prior learning and are delivered in an age appropriate manner through:

• Discrete weekly PSHE lessons supported by the Kapow scheme of work.
• School assemblies.
• The promotion of the school’s core values and ethos.
• High quality texts used within lessons and assemblies.
• Opportunities for discussion, debate and reflection within a safe and supportive environment.
• Teachers presenting information clearly and responding appropriately to pupil’s questions.
• CPD to support teacher subject knowledge and confidence.
• Displays, pupil work and PSHE floor book to celebrate and demonstrate learning.
• Cross-curricular links where appropriate.
• Careers, aspirations and economic wellbeing opportunities, including careers week.
• Pupil leadership and pupil voice opportunities.
• Safeguarding, online safety and wellbeing education embedded throughout the curriculum.
• Opportunities for pupils to be active and develop healthy lifestyles through the school day and extra-curricular activities.
• Developing understanding of the British Values and the Protected Characteristic throughout the curriculum, assembles, wider opportunities, discussions and literature.

In our Early Years Foundation Stage, we link the PSHE curriculum to the Early Learning Goals (ELG) and we aim to:

• Develop pupils understanding of ways to keep healthy and safe. (Managing Self ELG)
• Develop pupils’ confidence, independence and resilience when facing new challenges. (Managing Self and Self-Regulation ELG)
• Help pupils recognise, understand and manage their feelings and behaviour. (Self-Regulation ELG)
• Develop pupil’s ability to form positive relationships with adults and peers. (Building Relationships ELG)
• Help pupil understand the rules, routines and expectations within the classroom. (Self-Regulation ELG)
• Encourage pupils to make positive choices and understand the impact of their actions on others. (Self-Regulation and Building Relationships ELG)
• Encourage curiosity, aspiration and confidence in their own abilities, preparing them for future learning and personal development.

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, children study the National Curriculum for PSHE and we aim to:

• Give pupils the information that they need to make good, informed decisions about their own health, wellbeing and personal safety.
• Develop pupils’ confidence, resilience independence and self-esteem.
• Promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Give pupils an understanding of the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of healthy, respectful relationships.
• Teach pupils how to stay safe, both online and offline and where the seek help if they have concerns.
• Develop responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults.
• Prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
• Develop and deepen pupils’ understanding of the fundamental British values.
• Foster aspirations and prepare pupils for future learning, careers and economic wellbeing.
• Give pupils the knowledge and capability to take care of themselves and teach them how to seek advice when they suspect or know that something is wrong.

Relationships, Health and Sex Education

Please see end of page for policy, consultation results and further documents.

Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory subjects in all primary schools and are compulsory for all pupils in accordance with Department for Education guidance from September 2026.It is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and how to stay safe. The Relationships Element to RSE is statutory, however, parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from Sex Education content.

The delivery of Relationships and the PSHE curriculum is nothing new at Blaydon West Primary School and it is a subject that we strive to continuously develop further. We teach a broad curriculum within PSHE and RSE that references many areas such as drugs, relationships, tolerance and online safety. This continues in the new guidance, along with many new areas of learning.

At Blaydon West Primary School, we use the Kapow Primary PSHE/RSE scheme to support the delivery of our bespoke PSHE/RSE curriculum. This ensures that learning is progressive, age-appropriate and fully aligned with statutory requirements.

The content linked to Sex Education can be found on our whole school PSHE/RSE curriculum document attached below.

Our aim is for our pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to lead healthy, happy and safe lives. Relationships and Sex Education is designed to equip your child with knowledge and make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life.

The curriculum reflects the opportunities and challenges face by children in modern society and prepares them for life in an increasingly diverse and digital word.

All learning is delivered in a sensitive, inclusive and age-appropriate manner considering the needs, background and beliefs or our pupils and families. 

Relationships Education

Relationships Education will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships, including with family, friends and online. Your child will be taught what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who can support them. In an age-appropriate way, we will cover how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect.

By the end of primary school, your child will have been taught content on:

• Families and people who care for me
• Caring friendships
• Respectful relationships
• Online relationships
• Being safe

Health Education

Health education aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise.

By the end of primary school, your child will have been taught content on:

• Mental wellbeing
• Internet safety and harms
• Physical health and fitness
• Healthy eating
• Facts and risks associated with drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Health and prevention
• Basic first aid
• Changing adolescent body

Sex Education

We believe that pupils should be given the opportunity to access a curriculum which prepares them for the changes that adolescence brings. We are choosing to provide our pupils with a sensitive, age appropriate curriculum which includes some components of non-statutory Sex Education building upon the statutory Relationships Education, Health Education and Science curriculum.

Our aims are:

• To prepare pupils for the changes that occur to their bodies, minds and emotions as a consequence of growth from childhood to adulthood.
• To provide pupils with accurate, age-appropriate knowledge about human reproduction and development.
• To help support young people through spiritual, physical, emotional and moral development.
• To develop pupils’ confidence and understanding so that they can make informed and responsible choices.
• To work in partnership with parents, families and the wider community to promote positive relationships and provide effective support for young people’s personal development and wellbeing.

At Blaydon West Primary School, we will teach the Sex Education components of RSE during our PSHE lessons in unit 5 Growing and Changing at Blaydon West Primary School. Please see our detailed curriculum map below, which includes the content we plan to deliver in relation to Sex Education during PSHE/RSE lessons.

However, if you are not happy for your child to take part, you have the right to withdraw them from any or all of it. We will then make alternative arrangements for your child for the duration of the teaching. If you would like to withdraw your child from Sex Education, please fill in the form below and address to Mr Brown Head teacher.

Science and Sex Education

Under the National Curriculum, the basics of Sex Education fall within the science curriculum. The statutory content requires maintained schools to teach children about human development, including puberty, and reproduction. Please see the DfE Science Programme of Study below which includes specific content for each year group.

In Key Stage 1, pupils will:

Be introduced to the process of reproduction and growth in animals. They should be introduced to the concepts of reproduction and growth, but not how reproduction occurs.

Key Stage 2, pupils will:

Be taught about different types of reproduction, including sexual and asexual reproduction in plants and sexual reproduction in animals. Pupils should draw a timeline to indicate stages in the growth and development of humans. They should learn about the changes experienced in puberty.

RSE Statutory Guidance - Please follow the link for the updated DfE Relationships and Sex Education guidance.