Personal, Social and Health Education

PSHE Leader – Mrs Wain

Intent

PSHE at Holy Trinity helps children develop the knowledge, skills and qualities they need to lead confident, healthy and fulfilling lives. It supports pupils in understanding themselves and others, forming positive relationships and making safe, informed choices that benefit their wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them.

Through learning about emotional literacy, personal safety, citizenship and economic wellbeing, children build resilience, respect and independence. They learn to act with integrity, value diversity and understand their rights and responsibilities. PSHE also plays a key role in safeguarding by helping pupils manage change and recognise risks.

This work reflects our school vision: nurturing curiosity through exploring feelings and asking questions; inspiring pupils through positive role models and aspirations; and fostering belonging through respect, inclusion and community. Our aim is to prepare every child for life, helping them grow into thoughtful, capable and compassionate individuals.

Implementation

PSHE is taught through Kapow Primary’s sequenced curriculum, which is regularly updated to meet statutory requirements. Lessons follow a consistent structure and include high‑quality resources and videos to support teacher confidence.

The curriculum is fully adaptable for pupils with SEND, offering guidance on how activities can be adjusted so every child can participate and succeed. Scaffolding, multi‑sensory tasks, clear instructions and a balance of collaborative and independent learning ensure all pupils are supported and challenged.

Our spiral curriculum revisits key themes each year—family and relationships, health and wellbeing, safety and the changing body, citizenship and economic wellbeing—allowing children to deepen their understanding over time. Teachers are supported through shared resources, training and input from the Mental Health Support Team.

Mental health and wellbeing are taught through the myHappymind programme from Nursery to Year 6, helping pupils build resilience, self‑esteem and confidence.

Impact

Pupils confidently use and apply PSHE vocabulary in their work and daily decision‑making. Regular assessment opportunities—such as questioning, retrieval practice and interactive tasks—help children embed their learning.

Children show their understanding through written work, diagrams and creative responses. They enjoy PSHE lessons, take pride in their work and can recall learning over time. Most importantly, they use their knowledge to make safe, informed choices and show increasing independence in real‑life situations.

Curriculum overview

Our school uses Kapow Primary for its PSHE learning. Kapow Primary’s RSE & PSHE curriculum is structured around five key areas:

• Family and relationships - learning how to recognise and form positive relationships with family and friends; identifying how to deal with conflict and bullying. 
• Health and wellbeing - learning strategies for maintaining physical and mental health, including hygiene, exercise, healthy eating, sleep and self-awareness. 
• Safety and the changing body - learning how to stay safe in a variety of online and offline situations; what to do in an emergency; naming parts of the body; distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate physical contact; identifying the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
• Citizenship - recognising the importance of rules; caring for others and the local environment; learning about rights, responsibilities and the importance of participation in community life. 
• Economic wellbeing - exploring what money is, ways to earn it and how to take care of it. 

These areas are revisited each year to ensure clear progression. In Year 6, pupils also study Identity to support transition to secondary school.

Parents can view the long‑term plan or speak to their child’s class teacher or the PSHE Lead for more information. Further guidance is available by visiting https://www.kapowprimary.com/subjects/rse-pshe/curriculum/rse-pshe-parent-information/. 

Teaching and Learning Approaches

Our curriculum ensures all children, including those with SEND, can learn confidently. Lessons include adaptable activities so teachers can tailor learning to individual needs.

A clear, step‑by‑step structure supports smooth progression without sudden jumps in difficulty. Collaborative and independent tasks allow pupils to work at their own pace, while clear instructions help reduce cognitive load.

Pupils who need challenge are extended through deeper questioning, exploration and leadership opportunities.

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities 

PSHE is enriched through experiences that help pupils grow into confident, caring and responsible young people, including:

• Outdoor learning and team‑building

• Community projects

• Visits from specialists

• Themed days and workshops

• Mindfulness and wellbeing activities

• Pupil leadership roles such as Wellbeing Warriors and School Council

Cross‑curricular links with PE, science, computing and RE further reinforce healthy living, teamwork and personal values.

Supporting Learning at Home

Families can support PSHE learning by encouraging:

• Independence through small tasks at home

• Open conversations about feelings

• Positive role‑modelling of kindness, patience and problem‑solving

• Mindfulness, outdoor activities and creative play

• Discussions about themes taught in school, such as healthy lifestyles and online safety

Consultation with parents

Since September 2020, all primary schools must teach Relationships and Health Education. Our PSHE and RSE curriculum was reviewed in 2025, with parents invited to read and comment on the updated policy. An open evening was available to provide further information and give an opportunity to ask questions.

Each June, parents receive information about upcoming modules, with additional guidance for Year 6 families regarding the Sex Education curriculum and withdrawal rights.

For more information, please see below the RSE primary schools guide for parents, RSE guidance by year group or our RSE policy.

Parents and carers can also access local support and training through the Staffordshire and Stoke‑on‑Trent PSHE website. https://pshestaffs.com/parents-carers/