PSHE at Byers Green
‘There is compelling evidence that PSHE education — when taught well — helps keep children and young people safe, mentally and physically healthy and prepared for life and work.’ PSHE Association 2024
At Byers Green Primary School, we believe that personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) is vital in providing the knowledge, understanding and skills pupils need to manage their lives now and in the future. PSHE (which includes Relationship and Sex Education) is at the heart of our school ethos and underpinned by our school values. We believe in the importance of education for the development of the whole child and PSHE helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy independent lives and to become responsible citizens. Through our lessons, children will learn how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and become active citizens, responsibly participating in society around them. Our PSHE curriculum places a strong emphasis on the importance of emotional wellbeing and mental health and links closely with SMSC and British Values within our school.
At Byers Green we use the scheme SCARF to provide in depth lesson plans and resources to support our teaching and delivery of PSHE and RSE. The plans are developed from the Learning Outcomes and Core Themes provided by the PSHE Association Programme of Study, which is recommended and referred to by the DFE in all key documentation relating to PSHE provision in schools. Our plans follow the three core areas of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. Our lessons fulfil the requirements of 2020 Statutory Relationships and Sex Education, setting these learning intentions in the context of a broad and balanced PSHE curriculum.
Through our effective curriculum, our children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of trust and respect. We strive to provide a PSHE curriculum that delivers accurate, balanced and relevant knowledge. Children are given opportunities to explore, clarify and, if necessary, challenge, their own and others’ values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities on a range of topics. By developing a deep understanding of mental health and well-being our children have the skills to evaluate and understand their wellbeing needs, practise self-care and support the wellbeing of others. Children develop positive personal attributes such as resilience, self-confidence, self-esteem and empathy. Children learn how to identify and manage risk, make informed choices and understand what influences their decisions, resolve conflict, manage their emotions and communicate positively in different contexts.
Evidence suggests that successful PSHE education also helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children achieve to a greater extent. This is achieved by raising aspirations and empowering them with the skills to overcome barriers they face. Our whole-school approach will positively impact wellbeing, safeguarding and SMSC outcomes. This will ensure that our children develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed at school and in the wider world.