PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic education
RSE – Relationships and Sex Education
SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development
British Values – Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Intent

At Woolton Primary School, PSHE, RSE and SMSC play a central role in supporting the personal development and wellbeing of every child. Through this provision, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to become confident, resilient and respectful members of society. Our curriculum promotes positive relationships, emotional wellbeing, physical and mental health, and an understanding of British Values, while encouraging children to develop empathy, self-awareness and a strong sense of right and wrong. PSHE is delivered through a carefully planned, age-appropriate and inclusive programme that supports pupils to make safe, informed choices both now and in the future. We use the SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship) programme to support the delivery of our PSHE curriculum which provides a structured and progressive approach to learning across the school. SCARF supports our commitment to high-quality PSHE provision and enables pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive both within school and beyond.

Implementation

At Woolton Primary School, our PSHE, RSE and SMSC curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced to ensure pupils develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in a progressive and age-appropriate way. We use the SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship) programme to support the delivery of our PSHE curriculum, providing a comprehensive and structured approach to relationships, health and wellbeing, emotional literacy and personal safety. Our curriculum is designed to support pupils’ personal development while meeting statutory requirements and responding to the needs of our school community.

Lessons are taught regularly by class teachers using a range of engaging strategies including discussion, stories, role play, scenarios and reflection. Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of all pupils to ensure learning is inclusive and accessible. SMSC development and British Values are embedded throughout PSHE and are further reinforced through assemblies, themed events and the wider life of the school. Safeguarding also underpins all PSHE and RSE teaching. Clear ground rules and appropriate distancing strategies help create a safe and respectful learning environment where pupils can explore sensitive topics without being expected to share personal experiences. Children are taught how to recognise risk, develop healthy relationships, keep themselves safe and seek support from trusted adults.

Impact

Through our PSHE, RSE and SMSC provision at Woolton Primary School, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to support their wellbeing, safety and personal development. Our progressive curriculum, supported by the SCARF programme, enables children to build their understanding over time and apply their learning to situations they may encounter in everyday life. Pupils develop confidence in understanding and managing their emotions, building positive and respectful relationships, making responsible choices and recognising when and how to seek help. They develop an understanding of diversity, equality and British Values, alongside the knowledge and skills needed to keep themselves healthy and safe. As pupils move through the school, our curriculum supports them in developing greater independence and prepares them for the next stage of their education, including understanding the physical and emotional changes associated with growing up.

The impact of our PSHE and RSE curriculum is monitored through pupil voice, teacher assessment, observations, learning reflections and curriculum monitoring. This ongoing evaluation helps us identify areas for further development and ensures that our provision remains responsive to the needs of our pupils. Our aim is for every child to leave Woolton Primary as a confident, caring, respectful and responsible member of the school community who is equipped with the knowledge and skills to make safe and informed choices.

RSE – Relationships and Sex Education

At Woolton Primary School, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an important part of our wider Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education and supports pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and safety. RSE is delivered in an age-appropriate, sensitive and inclusive manner, in line with Department for Education statutory guidance, and reflects the needs and maturity of our pupils. Our PSHE curriculum is supported by the SCARF programme, which provides a structured and progressive approach to developing pupils’ understanding of relationships, health, wellbeing, emotional literacy and personal safety.

The focus of RSE at Woolton Primary School is on helping children to develop healthy and respectful relationships, understand the importance of kindness and empathy, recognise boundaries and keep themselves safe. Teaching explores topics such as friendships, families, respect, consent and personal boundaries in an age-appropriate context, online safety and understanding emotions. As pupils progress through the school, they develop their understanding of growing and changing, including the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty, helping to prepare them for the next stage of their development.

Parents are informed about the content of our RSE curriculum and are invited to view the resources used in school. Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory and parents do not have the right to withdraw their child from this provision. At Woolton Primary School, we do not teach additional non-statutory RSE beyond the content required as part of the statutory science curriculum. We value a strong partnership with families and encourage open communication about our PSHE and RSE curriculum. If you would like further information about RSE at Woolton Primary School, or wish to discuss the curriculum in more detail, please contact the school office.