PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

^{PSHE education is central to our school ethos and underpins pupils’ personal development, safeguarding, and preparation for life in modern Britain.}

Subject Lead - Miss Kayleigh Elliott

Whole School Emotional Health and Wellbeing Lead - Mr Aled Jones

Senior Mental Health Lead - Mr Aled Jones

 

RATIONALE

PSHE education is central to our school ethos and underpins pupils’ personal development, safeguarding, and preparation for life in modern Britain. It promotes emotional literacy, wellbeing, resilience, and respect for diversity, while equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, safety, and future aspirations. Through real-life experiences, community engagement, and enrichment opportunities, we ensure that PSHE learning is meaningful, relatable, and impactful. 

INTENT

At Cullercoats Primary School, our intent is to provide a comprehensive, progressive, and inclusive PSHE curriculum that enables all pupils to become healthy, confident, responsible, and respectful individuals. Our curriculum aims to: 

• Develop pupils’ emotional literacy, resilience, and self-esteem. 

• Promote healthy lifestyles, positive mental health, and safe decision-making. 

• Foster positive relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and equality. 

• Teach pupils to understand and appreciate diversity and British Values. 

• Prepare pupils for the physical and emotional changes of growing up. 

• Ensure pupils know how to stay safe, including online safety, consent, and personal safety. 

• Develop financial literacy, aspirations, and an understanding of life beyond primary school. 

• Respond to pupils’ diverse needs, backgrounds, and cultural experiences. 

• Connect learning to real-world contexts through visitors, community involvement, enrichment activities, and charity work. 

Our PSHE curriculum is designed to help pupils develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth, make informed choices, and build the foundations for happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Curriculum Structure and Progression 

PSHE is taught weekly from Nursery to Year 6, following a carefully mapped progression that builds knowledge, skills, and understanding over time. The curriculum is aligned with statutory DfE guidance and enhanced beyond those requirements to ensure a rich, broad, and balanced experience. 

We follow the Twinkl Life PSHE scheme, which structures content into clear, sequenced units. Themes include: 

• Health and Wellbeing 

• Relationships 

• Living in the Wider World 

• Safety (including online safety) 

Units such as It’s My Body, Digital Wellbeing, Think Positive, VIPs, One World, Money Matters, and Aiming High ensure comprehensive coverage of PSHE concepts. 

Lessons are interactive and engaging, using: 

• Circle time and group discussions 

• Role-play, case studies, and scenarios 

• Collaborative projects 

• Multimedia resources 

• Opportunities for reflection 

• Real-life situations are used wherever possible to make learning meaningful and relevant. 

• Visitors, Enrichment, and Real-World Experiences 

We enhance PSHE learning through a wide range of visitors, partnerships, and community links that bring learning to life and provide pupils with real-world context. These include: 

• Road Safety Team – pedestrian and cycling safety 

• Emergency Services, including the Ambulance Service and RNLI – first aid, water safety, and emergency response 

• Better on Bikes / Bike for Health – cycling skills, confidence, and active travel 

• OPAL Play – promoting creativity, resilience, and outdoor learning 

• Blue Cross – dog safety workshops that teach pupils how to behave safely and responsibly around animals 

• NSPCC – assemblies and workshops such as Speak Out, Stay Safe, helping pupils understand personal safety, consent, trusted adults, and how to seek help 

• Partnership- Through our active School Council, we work closely with a school in the West End of Newcastle, allowing School Councillors from both schools to collaborate and share ideas.  

PSHE is also reinforced through whole-school events, assemblies, themed days, residentials (High Borrans and Dalguise), after-school clubs, and lunchtime support such as our Cool Connect Club for pupils who prefer a calm and structured environment. 

SMSC, British Values, and Community Engagement 

PSHE plays a central role in developing pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural understanding. We celebrate diversity, promote mutual respect, and encourage pupils to explore their beliefs, values, and identities. 

Community involvement includes: 

• Donations to local food banks 

• Singing to the elderly in local care homes at Christmas 

• Beach cleans and litter picks  

• Whole-school charity events (Children in Need, Comic Relief, Young Lives vs Cancer) 

• Fundraising and social action projects 

• School Council involvement and pupil voice activities 

• Parental Engagement 

Parents are kept informed and involved through: 

• Curriculum information letters 

• Workshops and events that support home–school partnership 

Assessment 

Assessment is ongoing and takes place through: 

• Observation 

• Pupil voice 

• Self-reflection activities 

• Work scrutiny and teacher judgement 

• This informs planning, identifies gaps, and ensures teaching meets pupils’ needs. 

IMPACT

The impact of our PSHE curriculum is reflected in pupils who: 

• Demonstrate confidence, resilience, and positive mental health strategies. 

• Show respect for themselves and others, celebrating diversity and understanding British Values. 

• Make safe and informed choices about their health, relationships, wellbeing, and online behaviour. 

• Engage in community projects, charity events, and social responsibility. 

• Develop financial awareness and aspirational attitudes. 

• Transition to secondary school as well-rounded, emotionally literate individuals who are ready for new social and academic challenges. 

Monitoring Impact 

We measure and evaluate impact through: 

• Pupil voice surveys and School Council feedback 

• Teacher observations and assessment records 

• Behaviour, wellbeing, and safeguarding data 

• Parent feedback 

• External reviews and visitor feedback 

• Positive behaviour, strong relationships, and a supportive school culture are visible outcomes of our effective PSHE provision. 

Statutory Alignment 

Our PSHE curriculum is fully aligned with: 

• DfE Statutory Guidance for Relationships Education, RSE, and Health Education (2019) 

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 

• The Equality Act 2010 

• National safeguarding and wellbeing expectations 

Conclusion 

At Cullercoats Primary School, we are committed to providing an exceptional PSHE education that prepares pupils for the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities of modern life. By equipping children with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes, we empower them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally—now and in the future. 

SKILLS MAPPING DOCUMENTS