Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)
Personal, Social, Health, Emotional (PSHE) is a very important subject which equips children with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills needed to live safe healthy lives.
It deals with the real life issues affecting our school, families and communities.
PSHE education:
- supports pupils to be healthy physically and mentally aswell as encouraging individual responsibilty for personal health.
- contributes to the safety of children online, outdoors and understanding the effects associated with drugs and alcohol.
- supports pupils to understand similarities and differences between themselves and others,
- promotes independence and responsibility, preparing children and young people for future roles as parents, employees and leaders.
In 2019, the Department for Education (DfE) published new guidance about changes to the PSHE cirriculum, which schools must implement and comply to. The Health Education and Relationships Education aspects of PSHE are now statutory in all primary schools. This covers broad areas of particular relevance and concern to children and young people in today's modern world. It ensures that every child is guaranteed a PSHE education that covers mental health and wellbeing, physical health (including healthy lifestyles and first aid) and learn about safe and healthy relationships.
Following our consultation process last year, we have taken on board feedback from parents, students, staff and governors and have updated our Relationships and Health Education policy to take into account the new statutory changes.
As in previous years, and in line with government guidance, we will continue teaching elements of sex education in an age-appropriate way. High quality RHE helps to safeguard our children and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves. We believe it is our collective responsibility to ensure our children grow up happy and healthy. You can find the DfE statutory guidance and our updated RHE policy below.
PSHE Curriculum Overview – Discovery Education
At Austhorpe, we deliver high-quality PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education through the Discovery Education Health and Relationships programme. This comprehensive and age-appropriate curriculum supports children’s personal development, emotional wellbeing, and preparation for life in modern Britain.
The programme is structured around six key themes that are revisited each year with increasing depth and maturity:
- Healthy and Happy Friendships – Understanding respectful relationships, boundaries, and how to manage friendship challenges.
- Caring and Responsibility – Developing empathy, kindness, and a sense of responsibility towards others and the wider community.
- Families and Committed Relationships – Exploring different types of families, love and commitment, and respectful attitudes.
- Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds – Promoting physical and mental wellbeing, healthy habits, and personal hygiene.
- Coping with Change – Managing transitions, loss, and emotions with resilience and self-awareness.
- Respecting Rights and Understanding Money – Understanding human rights, valuing diversity, and building early financial awareness.
Discovery Education’s PSHE curriculum is fully aligned with the statutory Relationships and Health Education (RHE) requirements in England and is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and supportive of all learners.
By embedding PSHE across the school, we aim to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to thrive as confident, respectful, and responsible citizens.
When teaching this resource we take into consideration different faiths/religions, values and beliefs and ensure that we are providing our children with high quality teaching which takes the above into account.
We also cover a whole range of life-skills including: British Values and the importance of it, fire safety, water safety, road safety, stranger danger, anti-bullying, mental health, bike safety, first aid, online safety and keeping safe outdoors. These skills are covered through lessons, assemblies, planned weeks/days and by inviting in visitors/people from the community such as: the police, fire service, NSPCC, St Johns Ambulance, local church, Leeds City Council and many more.
Please see below the DfE statutory guidance, updated RSE policy, consultation presentation and the PSHE statement of intent.
