Overview

Why do we teach PSHE? 

We teach PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) because it equips our pupils with the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to stay healthy, safe, and prepared for life and work in modern Britain. PSHE is central to our pupils’ personal development, enabling them to become confident, responsible and active members of society. 

Intent 

Our PSHE curriculum is designed to provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that supports pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to manage their lives now and in the future. It is carefully sequenced and progressive, ensuring learning builds over time. 

We prioritise the development of emotional literacy, resilience, self-esteem and self-worth, enabling pupils to regulate their emotions and engage positively in learning and social situations. Through our curriculum, pupils gain the skills to manage friendships, relationships, wellbeing and change, supporting strong outcomes in both personal development and behaviour. 

Our curriculum promotes a strong sense of identity, belonging and inclusion, ensuring pupils understand diversity and equality and are prepared for life in modern Britain, including the promotion of British values and SMSC development. 

PSHE plays a key role in safeguarding. Pupils learn how to recognise risk, including unhealthy relationships and unsafe situations, and develop the confidence to seek help. We explicitly teach pupils how, when and where to access support, and how to support others in a safe and respectful environment. 

Implementation  

At Vale of Evesham School, we are a trauma-informed school, and this approach underpins our PSHE provision. We recognise that pupils may have experienced adversity, and therefore our delivery is adaptive, responsive and inclusive, ensuring all pupils can access learning. 

Our PSHE curriculum is: 

• Well-sequenced and spiralised, in line with statutory DfE guidance 

• Knowledge-rich and skills-focused, supporting long-term learning 

• Adapted to meet the individual needs and starting points of pupils 

We understand that progress is not always linear. Our flexible approach ensures that learning is revisited and reinforced, supporting deep understanding and retention over time. 

PSHE is delivered through both the formal and informal curriculum. High-quality learning opportunities arise through: 

• Timetabled lessons 

• Learning outside the classroom (LOTC) 

• Practical activities (e.g. cooking, life skills) 

• Social times such as lunch and unstructured periods 

All staff are trained to provide consistent, accurate and sensitive responses, addressing misconceptions in real time. This ensures that learning is meaningful, contextualised and supports positive behaviour and attitudes. 

Impact 

We recognise that measuring impact in PSHE can be complex; however, we evaluate impact through pupils’ knowledge, understanding, behaviours and attitudes over time. 

As a result of our PSHE curriculum, pupils: 

• Demonstrate improved self-awareness, resilience and emotional regulation 

• Develop and sustain positive relationships 

• Make safe, informed choices 

• Understand risk and how to keep themselves safe 

• Know how to seek help and support 

• Show respect for others, reflecting British values and inclusive attitudes 

Ultimately, pupils leave Vale of Evesham School with the cultural capital, confidence and life skills needed to successfully navigate the next stage of their education and adult life.