Through the teaching of PSHE, our aim at Peninsula East Primary Academy is to provide children with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives now and in the future in order to be well-rounded global citizens. PSHE helps children to stay healthy and safe, make the most of their life and work and provides them with the tools they need to reach their full potential. We aim to provide learning experiences that enable children to develop the necessary skills to participate fully in their school, local and wider communities. As part of the IB PYP Programme, we encourage pupils to demonstrate the learner profile attributes which help them to develop as individuals. We also use the THRIVE approach at school to support pupils through their development during their time at primary school.
Peninsula East Primary Academy considers that Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) is an integral part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship curriculum. We aim to offer pupils a carefully planned programme on human development, relationships, and family life within a safe, supportive atmosphere. We also see this as a fundamental part of safeguarding the children within our care.
The teaching of PSHE is covered through inquiry lessons, assemblies, science as well as some discrete teaching. The three main themes include:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Relationships
- Living in the Wider World.
PSHE builds on skills that children start to acquire during the Early Years Foundation stage. In EYFS, the provision is planned to ensure development in Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), which occurs daily. Within this provision, children will explore the ideas of relationships, feelings and appropriate behaviours, self-confidence and self-awareness, rules and routines, empathy and restorative justice.Children discover and learn based on their current experiences which is then revisited, reinforced and extended year on year.
Most of PSHE education became statutory for all schools from September 2021 under the Children and Social Work Act 2017. This includes:
- Relationships Education at key stages 1 and 2
- Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at key stages 3 and 4*
- Health Education in both primary and secondary phases.
*Important aspects of RSE can be taught at key stage 2 as non-statutory education.
With regards to RSE, staff are following plans from Medway which were produced alongside the PSHE Association. A detailed teacher guidance document accompanies each year group’s lesson pack which includes a more detailed outline of each scheme of work and further resource recommendations to supplement materials included in the pack. Staff have received training on the approach to teaching RSE and understand the need to teach it sensitively in a safe environment.
The delivery of both PSHE and RSE is monitored by the PSHE/RSE lead and Principal through:
- learning walks
- Floor book looks
- pupil voice
Floor books are used to record clear evidence of the learning that takes place, including work that takes place as a discussion. Pupils’ development in PSHE and RSE is monitored by class teachers as part of our internal assessment systems. Our RSE & PSHE policy will be reviewed by the PSHE/RSE lead annually. At every review, the policy will be approved by the principal.
By the end of a child’s time at Peninsula East, they will be principled, caring, risk-takers and open-minded individuals. They have a sound understanding of the meaning and importance of the learner attributes, our school values and the essential requirements for effective communication and the development of positive relationships; they leave us well-equipped as global citizens, ready to successfully embrace and enjoy secondary education with a very real view of being an effective and happy contributor in today’s world.
Pupils will accept and understand how people in a community can be different, and are able to celebrate this. Also, they have an awareness of their own actions and those of others, and how they can have an impact. Pupils will responsibility deal with situations, confidently applying their understanding of the world. When a child leaves us, the knowledge and skills learnt through PSHE/RSE will support them on their journey to becoming a well-rounded individual, capable of making well-informed decisions.