At St. Joseph’s, our PSHE/RSE curriculum is purposeful, progressive and empowering, supporting pupils to grow as confident, respectful and responsible individuals.
The curriculum is designed to provoke curiosity, reflection and discussion, enabling pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to make informed choices and have a positive impact on the communities to which they belong.
Gospel Values, Trust Virtues and British Values are woven throughout our PSHE and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum. We recognise and celebrate that every individual is special and unique, created in the image and likeness of God.
Our PSHE and RSE curriculum builds on statutory requirements and aims to ensure that pupils:
- Keep themselves healthy, safe and well
- Develop positive relationships and mutual respect
- Make informed, responsible choices
- Prepare for life and work in modern Britain
- Understand their role as active, compassionate citizens
Implementation
Our PSHE/RSE curriculum is carefully designed to support pupils in becoming independent, resilient and respectful members of society, with learning rooted in real life contexts relevant to today’s world.
We follow the Ten:Ten Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) programme, which is supplemented with additional high quality resources to ensure a spiral, coherent and progressive PSHE curriculum across all year groups.
The long term plan is sequenced intentionally, ensuring that key themes are taught progressively rather than incidentally. Topics covered across the school include:
- Safeguarding and personal safety
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Online safety and digital responsibility
- Protected characteristics and equality
- Respectful relationships and consent
- Sexual harassment and child on child abuse
- Financial capability and economic understanding
Lessons explicitly teach pupils the steps they can take to protect and support their own and others’ health, safety and happiness.
PSHE/RSE lessons are inclusive, reflective and discussion based. Pupils are encouraged to:
- Share ideas and experiences
- Take part in group work and role play
- Express views respectfully and without judgement
Learning is evidenced through:
- Independent and group work
- Discussion and reflection
- Role play and practical activities
- Pupils’ active contribution to school and community life
Oracy is central to PSHE and RSE, ensuring pupils can articulate thoughts, listen to others and develop empathy and understanding.
We work closely with parents and carers, ensuring they:
- Understand PSHE and RSE content
- Are consulted on curriculum delivery
- Can support learning at home
This strong partnership helps extend learning beyond the classroom.
PSHE, Life Skills and Careers
PSHE supports pupils’ understanding of life skills and future pathways. Through the curriculum, pupils develop:
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Financial awareness and responsibility
- Decision making and problem solving skills
- Understanding of rights, responsibilities and work related behaviours
These skills prepare pupils for secondary education, the workplace and adult life, supporting long term personal development and aspiration.
Impact
By the time pupils leave St. Joseph’s, they will be able to:
- Manage relationships positively and respectfully
- Make informed choices about health, wellbeing and lifestyle
- Apply learning confidently to real life situations
- Demonstrate respect, tolerance and high aspirations for themselves and others
- Contribute positively to their school and wider community
Pupils leave St. Joseph’s well prepared for secondary school and adulthood, equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in an ever changing modern Britain.
The impact of our PSHE curriculum is evaluated through:
- Lesson observations and learning walks
- Work scrutiny
- Pupil voice
- Annual subject leader and staff discussions
- Ongoing review, evaluation and target setting
This triangulated approach ensures high standards, consistency and continuous improvement.