Vision for PSHE & RSE at Longmoor

‘Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education…’ (Department for Education, 2021)

At Longmoor, PSHE enables our children to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the ‘whole child’ intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. Through our whole-school approach to PSHE, it is our belief that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life.

The Longmoor PSHE curriculum offer goes much further than the statutory elements of the Relationships Education (2019) guidance and it makes a vital contribution to Safeguarding, Personal Development, SMSC and the promotion of British Values. We aim to develop key character skills, including decision making, informed risk taking, good communication, and self-regulation strategies.

We encourage the exploration of, and respect for, values held by different cultures and groups within our local community, and promote the development of positive attitudes. We encourage honesty and respect in all relationships, and nurture sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. We aim to enable children to develop a deepening knowledge of their health and wellbeing, including their mental and physical health. We aim to equip children and young people with information, skills and values to understand and to be able to cope with the physical and emotional changes that happen during puberty: preparing the children for the next stage in their education and life.

RSE Consultation

Pupils are taught PSHE through Kapow’s PSHE and RSE curriculum. The curriculum is built around a clear, age-appropriate, and progressive structure that supports pupils' personal, social, and emotional development throughout their primary years. Central to its design is a spiral curriculum, where key themes are revisited and built upon each year. This approach ensures that learning is embedded and deepened over time, rather than delivered in isolated, one-off lessons.

The curriculum is organised into six thematic strands: Families and Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship, Economic Wellbeing, and, introduced in Year 6, Identity. Each strand is carefully planned to reflect the increasing maturity of pupils as they move from Reception to Year 6, with lessons designed to be both engaging and developmentally appropriate.

Kapow ensures full alignment with the Department for Education’s statutory Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), and Health Education guidance. This includes clear coverage of essential topics such as online safety, puberty, emotional wellbeing, consent, and basic first aid. In addition, the scheme supports schools in addressing non-statutory PSHE content, such as financial literacy and social responsibility.

Our programme of study is enhanced with additional units of study which are carefully chosen due to the demographic trends and data in the local area. These units include further and more honed work around racism, radicalisation, knife crime and child criminal exploitation.  

Our PSHE pedagogy is rooted in a holistic, inclusive approach to education that prioritises children’s emotional, social, and personal development. By combining elements of collaborative learning, active engagement and reflection. Kapow ensures that PSHE is not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the whole child—helping them develop essential life skills, emotional resilience, and positive relationships that will serve them throughout their lives. Each unit clearly defines the knowledge that should be taught and reviewed in the sequence of lessons. Teachers must ensure that content is taught in the order provided, filling gaps and addressing misconceptions as required. 

Our PSHE curriculum starts in the Early Years focuses on developing foundational skills like emotional regulation, self-awareness, social interaction and understanding of relationships. Children learn about their feelings, how to express them, and how to interact kindly with others. They explore concepts of sharing, taking turns, cooperation and safety within their learning environment.  Through play, role-modelling, and guided activities, they begin to understand the importance of healthy habits, respect for themselves and others, and building positive relationships. 

This foundation is then built upon in KS1 and KS2. The children are introduced to new concepts in more structured ways through the use of scenarios and the use of distancing techniques. Distancing techniques are strategies used to help students reflect on sensitive, personal, or challenging issues without feeling overwhelmed or too emotionally involved. These techniques create a sense of emotional and psychological distance, making it easier for students to explore topics that might be too close to their own experiences.

Teaching vocabulary in PSHE is crucial for helping children articulate their thoughts, understand complex issues, and engage in meaningful conversations. By using a variety of strategies such as contextualized learning, interactive activities, and repetition, students can build a strong vocabulary that enhances their understanding of personal, social, health, and economic concepts. This, in turn, supports their personal development and helps them navigate various life challenges effectively.

PSHE itself is not statutory; however, Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory in primary schools.

Children learn about relationships, wellbeing, safety, identity and health, in a way that is carefully sequenced and appropriate to their age and stage of development.

Parents cannot withdraw children from Relationships or Health Education. However, they can request withdrawal from non-statutory sex education elements taught in upper Key Stage 2.

Content is carefully sequenced, age-appropriate and taught sensitively, ensuring children are prepared for life without being exposed to inappropriate material.

Lessons are delivered in a safe, supportive environment, with a strong focus on safeguarding. Children are taught how to recognise risks, set boundaries and seek help.

We are committed to transparency. Parents can view our policy and curriculum materials and are informed when specific content is taught