Intent

At Bawnmore Infant School, PSHE and RSE underpin our entire curriculum. Our aim is to equip children with the knowledge, skills and emotional literacy to understand themselves, build positive relationships, and live healthy, safe lives. We want our pupils to become confident, resilient, respectful individuals with strong moral values.

Our PSHE curriculum is a vital part of the golden thread that runs through school life: prioritising wellbeing, strong relationships, and a love of learning. It reflects our REACH principles and explicitly teaches our school values: cooperation, respect, resilience, honesty, care and forgiveness.

Implementation

• We follow the Jigsaw (UK 6–7) scheme of learning, ensuring a well-sequenced, spiral curriculum that builds year on year.

• Weekly PSHE lessons are taught in all year groups, including Reception, with each unit focusing on a key theme such as relationships, health, safety, rights and responsibilities.

• Protective behaviours and Zones of Regulation are embedded from the start of Reception and revisited throughout KS1.

• Circle time, role play, discussion and storytelling are key strategies used to help children share ideas and reflect.

• Cross-curricular links are made where possible—for example in RE, PE, and English.

• Staff model respectful, kind behaviour and embed PSHE throughout the school day.

• RSE is taught in an age-appropriate way in line with statutory guidance, focusing on families, friendships, and keeping safe.

Impact

By the end of KS1, children:

• Understand and talk about their feelings and those of others

• Recognise what makes a good friend and how to solve simple conflicts

• Know how to keep themselves safe and healthy, both physically and emotionally

• Respect differences and begin to understand diversity and inclusion

• Are emotionally prepared to move on to KS2 and face future challenges

Children’s learning in PSHE supports all other subjects and directly feeds into their ability to learn and thrive. The golden thread is evident in their ability to form secure relationships, show empathy, and value themselves and others.

SEND and Inclusion

PSHE is tailored to meet the needs of all learners. Staff are responsive to individual needs and use visual prompts, emotion charts, simplified language, and social stories to support access and understanding. Pupil voice is used regularly to inform planning and address class or individual needs.