Intent

At Crawley Ridge Junior School, our PSHE curriculum underpins the whole ethos of the school and supports pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and understanding of their role within society. PSHE brings together citizenship, personal wellbeing and health education while promoting fundamental British Values.

Our aim is to provide a cohesive, whole‑school approach that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. Through PSHE, pupils are encouraged to develop resilience, self‑confidence, empathy and respect for themselves and others, enabling them to thrive both now and in the future.

Implementation

PSHE is taught through discrete lessons and is also embedded across school life, including assemblies, educational visits, enrichment activities, break times and after‑school clubs. The curriculum is closely linked to SMSC development and our school values:

• Positivity
• Respect
• Belong

We follow guidance from the PSHE Association and use SCARF (Coram Life Education) to support curriculum planning and progression. Key themes taught across the school include:

• Me and My Relationships
• Valuing Difference
• Keeping Myself Safe
• Being My Best
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Growing and Changing

Through PSHE, pupils are taught to:

• Develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to manage their lives now and in the future
• Explore, clarify and, where appropriate, challenge values, beliefs, rights and responsibilities
• Use strategies and language to support healthy, safe and responsible choices
• Develop personal qualities such as resilience, self‑esteem, confidence and empathy

Impact

Pupils demonstrate the British Values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, the rule of law and individual liberty in their daily interactions. This is reflected in positive behaviour, respectful relationships and a healthy attitude towards learning.

The impact of PSHE is seen through:

• Pupils’ social interactions and emotional wellbeing
• Engagement in after‑school clubs and pupil leadership roles
• Active participation in Pupil Parliament, including the Learning Council, Wellbeing Council, Digital Leaders and Eco Council

Teachers assess pupils’ understanding against our key knowledge and skills alongside regular pupil voice activities. As a result, pupils achieve age‑related expectations and are well prepared to engage positively with the wider curriculum and life beyond school.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Relationships and Sex Education is taught in line with statutory guidance and is integrated within the wider PSHE and Science curriculum.

In Year 3, pupils are introduced to the basic biology of the human body. In Year 5, learning builds on this through the study of puberty, including the physical and emotional changes experienced by boys and girls. Human reproduction is introduced in an age‑appropriate way and is linked to learning about life cycles in animals and plants.

Teaching places strong emphasis on:

• The importance of healthy, respectful and caring relationships
• Responsible attitudes and decision‑making
• The wonder and value of life

Parents are informed of the content and resources used prior to the teaching of RSE and are offered opportunities to discuss the curriculum. Teaching materials are carefully selected to be age‑appropriate and sensitive to pupils’ needs. Parents have the statutory right to withdraw their child from sex education components of RSE, and the Headteacher is available to discuss any concerns.