Mrs L. Green - PSHE/RSE Co-ordinator

 Welcome to our PSHE and RSE page! 

PSHE at St Peter’s C of E Primary School

At St Peter’s C of E Primary School, we recognise the important role that Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) plays in helping our children to become confident, healthy, respectful and responsible members of society. Our PSHE curriculum provides a carefully sequenced programme of learning that builds on children’s knowledge, skills and understanding as they move through the school.

Our EYFS Curriculum – Think Equal

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), our children follow the Think Equal programme, which supports their social and emotional development alongside the wider EYFS curriculum. Think Equal is a 30-week programme designed to develop important skills and competencies in young children through stories, discussion and engaging activities.

Through Think Equal, our children learn about who they are, their feelings and emotions, kindness, empathy, friendships and relationships. They develop an understanding of how to look after themselves and others, communicate their thoughts and feelings, solve problems and resolve disagreements peacefully. Children are also encouraged to recognise and celebrate differences, develop a sense of inclusion and fairness, and begin to think critically about the world around them.

The programme helps children to develop important skills such as confidence and self-esteem, emotional regulation, empathy, cooperation, communication, critical thinking and responsible decision-making. These foundations support our children in becoming caring, resilient and respectful members of our school community.

PSHE in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

From Year 1 to Year 6, our children follow the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which covers three key areas: Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, and Living in the Wider World.

Through these areas, children learn how to develop positive and respectful relationships with family and friends, recognise and manage different emotions, understand mental and physical health, make healthy choices, keep themselves safe and know when and how to ask for help. They learn about friendships, bullying, respect, boundaries, consent and staying safe both online and offline.

Children also develop their understanding of the wider world. They learn about families and communities, diversity and inclusion, responsibilities, money and financial decision-making, aspirations and careers, and digital and media literacy. This helps children to understand their place in the world, make informed choices and develop the knowledge and skills they need for life beyond primary school.

Relationships and Sex Education

As part of our PSHE curriculum, children also receive age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). This includes learning about families and caring relationships, friendships, respect, personal boundaries, staying safe, growing and changing, puberty and the changes that happen as children develop. Our teaching is carefully matched to the age and developmental stage of our pupils and supports children to build healthy relationships and know how to seek help when they need it.

Our approach to RSE is underpinned by our Christian values and our commitment to helping every child understand the importance of respect, kindness, dignity and healthy relationships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy provides further information about our approach and the content taught across the school. (This policy can be found by clicking on the 'School Policies' link below. 

Through our PSHE curriculum, we aim to equip every child with the knowledge, skills and confidence to look after their own wellbeing, build positive relationships, make safe and responsible choices, and contribute positively to their school and wider community.

How Can Parents Support PSHE and RSE at Home?

PSHE and RSE learning is most effective when children have opportunities to talk about and practise these skills in everyday life. There are lots of simple ways that parents and carers can support their child’s learning at home.

• Talk about feelings – Encourage your child to name and talk about their emotions. Ask questions such as, “How did that make you feel?” and “What might help you feel better?”
• Listen and talk regularly – Create opportunities for relaxed conversations about your child's day, friendships, worries and experiences. Let them know that they can always come to you with questions or concerns.
• Encourage kindness and empathy – Talk about how other people might be feeling and encourage your child to consider different perspectives. Praise acts of kindness, helpfulness and consideration.
• Talk about friendships – Discuss what makes a good friend, including being kind, listening, sharing, respecting differences and resolving disagreements. Help your child understand that healthy friendships should make people feel safe and valued.
• Teach respect and boundaries – Help children understand that everyone has personal boundaries and that these should be respected. Encourage them to say “no” when something makes them uncomfortable and to respect other people's choices and boundaries.
• Use correct names for body parts – Encourage children to use the correct names for parts of the body. This helps children communicate clearly and confidently if they ever need to talk about something that has happened to them.
• Talk about growing and changing – Have age-appropriate conversations about how bodies and feelings change as children grow. Reassure children that everyone develops at their own pace and that changes are a normal part of growing up.
• Promote healthy habits – Encourage regular sleep, healthy food choices, physical activity, good hygiene and time away from screens. Talk about why these things help us to stay physically and mentally healthy.
• Practise staying safe – Talk about how to stay safe at home, in the community and online. Help children understand trusted adults, what to do if something worries them and how to seek help.
• Support online safety – Take an interest in what your child does online. Talk about keeping personal information private, being respectful online and what to do if they see something upsetting or inappropriate.
• Encourage independence – Give children age-appropriate responsibilities at home, such as tidying their belongings, helping with meals or looking after a pet. This helps develop confidence, responsibility and self-esteem.
• Talk about money – Involve children in everyday conversations about spending, saving and making choices. Allowances or pocket money can provide opportunities to practise budgeting and responsible decision-making.
• Celebrate differences – Read books, watch programmes and have conversations that help children understand and appreciate different families, cultures, abilities, beliefs and experiences.
• Model positive behaviour – Children learn a great deal from the adults around them. Showing kindness, respect, patience, healthy communication and how to manage disagreements provides powerful everyday learning.
• Know what your child is learning at school – Take opportunities to talk about the themes covered in PSHE and RSE lessons. Ask your child what they have learned and encourage questions without embarrassment or judgement.

Most importantly, keep conversations open, calm and age-appropriate. Children may not always ask questions when you expect them to, so regular everyday conversations can help them feel confident that they can talk to you about anything that is worrying or confusing them.