PSHE Curriculum

3 PSHE Overview 2025-2026

At Birkwood, the safety of our children is paramount. The PSHE curriculum is structured into clear teaching blocks which build on individual starting points and can be accessed by all. These blocks are covered by an umbrella of safety to protect our children’s innocence and prioritises personal development at every opportunity. This is reinforced by the safety-netted approach, where children feel safe within the school community to share, ask questions and do not seek answers online.

Safety is the golden thread of everything we do.

Curriculum Rationale

At Birkwood Primary School, we understand the value of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PHSE) which includes our commitment to Relationship and Sex Education (RSE). Our intention is to provide a range of learning opportunities which help prepare children for a successful life. Our Curriculum allows children to understand how they develop personally and socially and addresses any issues or questions that may arise during their formative years. We aim to encourage our children to begin to understand and secure a sense of self-worth and to lay a foundation of skills that will last a lifetime. Our curriculum does this by encouraging children to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to school and the wider community.

At Birkwood Primary School we aim to deliver a curriculum that is accessible to children of all ages and academic ability with the hopes of maximising knowledge and understanding. The PSHE and RSE curriculum are designed so that all our children have the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to be happy, healthy, and safe.

Through teaching PSHE in line with government guidelines, PSHE Association supported by 1decision resources, we provide an inclusive curriculum which reflects our children’s increasing independence and physical and social awareness. It builds on the skills that pupils acquire during EYFS to develop effective relationships, assume greater personal responsibility, and manage personal and social safety, including online. PSHE shows Upper Key Stage 2 children how to cope with the body and mind changes of puberty and will cement skills learned to become a proactive member of 21st century society.

The Three Key Themes of PSHE

  • Relationships Education
  • Health Education
  • Living in the Wider World

Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage

PSHE in the Early Years Foundation Stage incorporates both physical and mental health development objectives that provide young children with activities and experiences to enrich their overall education.

The ‘PSHE’ aspect of the curriculum is followed mainly through the area ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’ but also ‘Communication and Language’ and ‘Understanding the World’.

PSHE teaching is linked to the overall topics or themes of the half term.

By the end EYFS, Children at the expected level of development will:

Self-Regulation ELG

  • Show an understanding of their own feelings and those of others, and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly.
  • Set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses when appropriate.
  • Give focused attention to what the teacher says, responding appropriately even when engaged in activity, and show an ability to follow instructions involving several ideas or actions.

Managing Self ELG

  • Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge.
  • Explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly.
  • Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing, going to the toilet and understanding the importance of healthy food choices.

Building Relationships ELG

  • Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others.
  • Form positive attachments to adults and friendships with peers.
  • Show sensitivity to their own and to others’ needs.

Teaching PSHE in KS1

KS1 children will develop their PSHE understanding through the delivery of nine core themes:

  • Keeping/ Staying Safe
  • Feelings and Emotions
  • Keeping/ Staying Healthy
  • Computer Safety
  • Relationships
  • Our World
  • Being Responsible
  • Hazard Watch
  • Fire Safety

 

Teaching PSHE in KS2

KS2 children will develop their PSHE understanding through the delivery of eight core themes:

  • Keeping/ Staying Safe
  • Feelings and Emotions
  • Keeping/ Staying Healthy
  • Computer Safety
  • Growing and Changing
  • Working World
  • Being Responsible
  • A World without judgement

At Birkwood Primary, PSHE is taught weekly for a minimum of one hour and it is taught as a stand-alone subject. However, some topics within PSHE are cross-curricular, for example:

  • Computer Safety (Computing)
  • Keeping/ Staying Healthy (PE and Science)