At Graven Hill Primary and Preschool, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), including Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), plays a central role in our curriculum and wider school ethos. It supports children’s personal development, wellbeing and character, enabling them to grow into confident, healthy and responsible members of society.

As the PSHE Association states:

“PSHE education gives pupils the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.”

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum works in close partnership with our Personal Development and Character curriculum, ensuring that children are supported not only to understand the world around them, but also to develop the values, virtues and habits needed to navigate it thoughtfully and responsibly.

Our PSHE and RSE Curriculum

PSHE at Graven Hill is carefully planned, progressive and inclusive. It supports children’s development as individuals, as members of families and friendships, and as part of a diverse and changing society.

Our curriculum is structured around three key strands:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships
• Living in the Wider World

Alongside these strands, we deliver the statutory elements of Relationships Education and Health Education, in line with national guidance, in an age‑appropriate and sensitive way.

Learning is revisited and built upon over time, ensuring children develop secure understanding and the confidence to apply their learning in real‑life situations.

Linking PSHE, Character and Personal Development

PSHE is closely aligned with our Character Education curriculum, which is informed by the University of Birmingham’s Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues. Through PSHE lessons, children are supported to develop intellectual, moral, civic and performance virtues such as respect, honesty, responsibility, resilience and empathy.

Together, PSHE and Character Education help children to develop practical wisdom — the ability to make good choices, manage emotions and act with integrity in different situations.

Relationships and RSE

Relationships Education is a key part of our PSHE curriculum and focuses on helping children to understand how to build healthy, respectful and positive relationships. Pupils learn about:

• Friendships and family relationships
• Kindness, respect and empathy
• Managing conflict and emotions
• Personal boundaries and staying safe

As children progress, they are introduced to age‑appropriate aspects of Health Education, supporting their understanding of physical and emotional wellbeing. Teaching is always delivered sensitively, using appropriate language and with careful consideration of children’s developmental stages.

We work in partnership with parents and carers, recognising the important role they play in supporting children’s learning and development.

Safeguarding, British Values and SMSC

PSHE at Graven Hill has strong links to safeguarding, British Values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Through PSHE, children learn about rights and responsibilities, fairness, diversity and respect for others.

They are encouraged to develop a strong sense of self‑worth and to understand the importance of contributing positively to school life and the wider community.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

PSHE learning is not limited to discrete lessons. Children’s personal and social development is supported through:

• Circle time and class discussions
• Whole‑school projects and themed days
• Opportunities for pupil voice and leadership
• Everyday interactions and routines

These experiences help children reflect on their learning, understand themselves better and apply their skills across different contexts.

Preparing Children for Life Beyond School

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum ensures that children leave Graven Hill with:

• Confidence and self‑awareness
• The skills to build positive, respectful relationships
• Knowledge to keep themselves healthy and safe
• A strong sense of responsibility and citizenship
• The character and resilience needed for future challenges

By combining high‑quality PSHE, statutory RSE and our research‑informed Character Education approach, we support children to thrive — not only academically, but as thoughtful, caring and responsible individuals ready for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.