At Abbey Park Primary School, our PSHE curriculum supports pupils to become healthy, respectful, resilient and responsible members of society. Through a carefully planned curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to understand themselves, build positive relationships and navigate the wider world confidently and safely. Our curriculum reflects the school’s drivers of sustainability and identity and equity, helping pupils to understand both their own wellbeing and their responsibilities within a diverse society.

What children learn

Our PSHE curriculum is delivered through the ‘Kapow’ scheme and is carefully sequenced to ensure pupils build knowledge and understanding progressively from Early Years to Year 7. Learning covers key themes including:

• families and relationships
• health and wellbeing
• safety and the changing body
• citizenship
• economic wellbeing

These themes are revisited across the school so that pupils deepen their understanding, make meaningful connections and apply their learning in different contexts over time.

Pupils learn how to:

• understand and manage emotions
• build positive and respectful relationships
• keep themselves physically and emotionally safe
• develop confidence, resilience and independence
• understand fairness, equality and diversity
• be responsible and active members of their community

Building knowledge over time

PSHE is taught progressively across the school so that learning builds carefully year on year.

 • In Early Years, children begin by learning about themselves, their feelings, relationships and how to manage everyday experiences within a safe and supportive environment.
• In Key Stage 1, pupils develop understanding of friendships, feelings, personal safety and belonging within their community.
• In Key Stage 2 and 3, pupils explore more complex themes including mental wellbeing, online safety, identity, diversity, healthy relationships and preparing for future responsibilities. Throughout the curriculum, prior learning is revisited regularly to help pupils remember key knowledge and apply it confidently in real-life situations.

Developing personal and social skills

In addition to knowledge, pupils are taught essential personal and social skills which support them both in school and beyond. This includes:

• communicating thoughts and feelings appropriately
• listening to and respecting different viewpoints
• making informed and safe choices
• developing empathy and understanding
• working collaboratively with others
• managing challenges and setbacks positively

These skills are explicitly taught and practised through discussion, reflection and real-life scenarios, helping pupils develop confidence and emotional literacy.

Language, vocabulary and communication

Developing appropriate vocabulary and communication skills is a key part of the PSHE curriculum. Pupils are taught and encouraged to use language linked to emotions, relationships, wellbeing, safety and citizenship accurately and respectfully.

Opportunities for discussion are built into lessons so that pupils can:

• express opinions and feelings
• ask questions safely and confidently
• listen respectfully to others
• justify and explain their thinking

This supports pupils in becoming thoughtful communicators who can discuss sensitive topics with maturity and respect.

Making connections

Where meaningful, PSHE is linked to other areas of learning and wider school life. Pupils explore themes through:

• links with online safety and computing
• health and wellbeing in PE and science
• diversity, equality and community values
• environmental responsibility and sustainability
• real-life experiences and current issues

This helps pupils understand how PSHE relates to everyday life and supports them in becoming active, informed and compassionate citizens.

Applying learning

Pupils are given regular opportunities to apply their learning through:

• discussion and collaborative activities
• role play and scenario-based learning
• reflection and personal goal setting
• problem-solving and decision-making tasks
• real-life situations and wider school experiences

This ensures pupils can use their knowledge and skills meaningfully both within school and beyond.

Assessment and progress

Assessment in PSHE is ongoing and supports both personal development and understanding. Teachers:

• check understanding through discussion and questioning
• observe participation and engagement in lessons
• assess pupils’ ability to apply knowledge and skills appropriately
• identify any misconceptions or gaps in understanding

This ensures learning is secure and that pupils continue to develop confidence, understanding and resilience over time.

What pupils achieve

By the end of Year 6, pupils at Abbey Park Primary School:

• understand how to maintain positive physical and mental wellbeing
• build healthy, respectful and safe relationships
• show empathy, respect and understanding towards others
• make informed choices and recognise how to stay safe
• understand their role and responsibilities within society
• communicate confidently and thoughtfully about a range of personal and social issues

They leave primary school as respectful, resilient and responsible young people, prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

Inclusion

Our PSHE curriculum is designed so that all pupils can access and succeed. Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of all learners through:

• carefully structured discussion and support
• clear explanations and modelling
• visual resources and scaffolded activities
• sensitive approaches to individual needs and experiences
• opportunities for challenge, reflection and deeper thinking

This ensures every child feels safe, valued and supported in developing personally, socially and emotionally.