| Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education | |
| Longhorsley PSHE Curriculum Overview- Year 2025/2026 | Download |
Intent:
At the Federation of Longhorsley and Whalton Schools, we recognise that our children are growing up in a diverse, complex, and rapidly changing world, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Our responsibility is to prepare them not only with knowledge, but with wisdom, compassion, and integrity, so that they may flourish as individuals and as caring members of society.
Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum is rooted in the Christian principle of “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) This teaching underpins all aspects of our provision, nurturing respect for self and others and guiding pupils to live out values of kindness, empathy, forgiveness, justice, and love in their everyday lives.
Through our PSHE and RSE curriculum, we aim to equip every pupil with the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to:
- Stay safe, healthy, and resilient – physically, mentally, and emotionally
- Build positive, respectful, and nurturing relationships
- Appreciate and celebrate diversity in cultures, beliefs, and identities, recognising the dignity and uniqueness of every person
- Understand personal boundaries, consent (age-appropriate), and how to seek help when needed
- Contribute positively to their local, national, and global communities
- Make informed, moral, and responsible choices now and in the future within all areas, including online safety and money
Implementation:
Our curriculum is community-focused and built around real-life, meaningful experiences. We believe that children learn best when they see the impact of their learning in action and are inspired by those who serve and support others.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Early Years, we lay the essential foundations for PSHE and RSE through the Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) and Understanding the World (UTW) areas of learning.
From the very beginning of their school journey, children are supported to:
- Develop a positive sense of themselves and their relationships with others.
- Learn to manage their emotions and understand feelings.
- Build friendships and cooperate with others.
- Develop independence, empathy, and respect.
- Recognise the importance of kindness, sharing, and fairness.
- Explore the world around them, learning about people, cultures, and communities beyond their own.
Through play, stories, discussions, celebrations, and role modelling, our youngest learners are introduced to the values that underpin our whole-school PSHE approach. Understanding the World provides opportunities for pupils to discover diversity, care for the environment, and appreciate the connections between themselves and others — both locally and globally. These early experiences prepare children to build upon their understanding of relationships, health, and wellbeing as they move through the federation.
From Years 1 to 4, PSHE and RSE units from the Oak National Academy curriculum have been adopted and are carefully sequenced to ensure knowledge is built progressively over time. Learning is structured to move from concrete understanding in the early years to more complex and abstract concepts as pupils mature.
Five key concepts are developed through curriculum threads, which provide vertical coherence across year groups:
- Relationships
- Wellbeing
- Community
- Online Safety
- Growing Up
The threads of relationships, wellbeing, community and online safety are revisited and deepened each year, enabling pupils to consolidate prior learning, develop rich and age-appropriate vocabulary, and apply knowledge in increasingly sophisticated ways. PSHE education at Longhorsley and Whalton Federation of Schools is evidence-informed, inclusive, and accessible, forming a central part of our coherent and appropriate whole-school approach to personal development. It supports children to grow in character and wisdom, build strong and healthy relationships, understand their rights and responsibilities, and recognise their own worth, agency, and potential. The thread ‘growing up’ is a focus in year 4 with regards to puberty.
We have adopted the threads to support Early Years to show clear progression in our PSHE Content Curriculum Overview.
Whole-School Practice:
We work closely with a range of local and national organisations to enrich our PSHE and RSE curriculum, including visits and partnerships with:
- The Fire Service, Road Safety team, and local hospice, to develop awareness of safety, responsibility, and compassion.
- The Dog’s Trust, to teach empathy, care, and animal welfare.
- Wansbeck Food Bank, where pupils contribute to collections and learn about supporting others in need.
- Shared Interest and the Fair Trade movement, helping pupils understand global citizenship, ethical trade, and justice for farmers worldwide.
- The Toilet Twinning Project, connecting our schools with communities around the world and highlighting dignity, equality, and sustainable living.
We also benefit from an active PTA, which works in close partnership with staff to strengthen our community ties, support school events, and enhance children’s experiences through fundraising and volunteering.
We prioritise first-hand experiences to bring learning to life, such as visits to zoos, synagogues, mosques, and other places of cultural and religious significance, promoting understanding and respect for all faiths and traditions.
Our schools take part in local community events, parish activities, and regional celebrations, strengthening our sense of belonging and service to others.
PSHE and RSE are taught explicitly through dedicated lessons but are also woven through the wider curriculum, collective worship, and the daily life of the school. Teachers use stories, scripture, discussion, and multimedia resources to engage pupils and promote reflection.
Ongoing assessment and reflection help teachers to track progress, adapt teaching, and ensure that all children—whatever their background, need, or belief—are supported to thrive personally and socially.
Curriculum Development and Future Changes:
We are fully aware of the forthcoming Government changes to PSHE and RSE from September 2026. As a federation, we will ensure these changes are carefully managed through a process of policy review and consultation with staff, parents, governors, and, most importantly, our children.
The voice of our pupils lies at the heart of everything we do, and their feedback and perspectives will continue to shape how our PSHE and RSE curriculum evolves to meet both statutory requirements and the needs of our school community.
Impact:
The impact of our PSHE and RSE curriculum across the Longhorsley and Whalton Federation of Schools is seen in the lives and character of our pupils.
You will see:
- Emotional regulation check-ins built into each class routine, helping to create a calm, supportive, and flourishing learning environment.
- Children who can communicate confidently and respectfully about their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
- Children who demonstrate resilience, empathy, and self-worth in their interactions and choices.
- A school community that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion across all aspects of life.
- Children who live out the principle of “love your neighbour as yourself”, showing kindness, understanding, and respect for others both locally and globally.
- Children inspired by their first-hand experiences and community engagement to take active roles in caring for others and the environment.
- Learning that is carefully tracked, monitored, and reviewed to ensure all pupils make strong progress in their personal development.
Ultimately, our PSHE and RSE curriculum nurtures compassionate, confident, and responsible young people who recognise the value of every person and contribute positively to both their local community and the wider world, living life in all its fullness as children of God.
