Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHE) at North Lakes School

At North Lakes School, a caring and inclusive Community Junior School, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and confident to grow and learn. Our PSHE curriculum is designed to support pupils’ personal development, wellbeing, and readiness for life in today’s complex world. This page explains how we deliver PSHE, reflecting our vision of a nurturing school community where everyone can achieve personal success.

Intent

Our PSHE curriculum aims to:

• Equip pupils with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
• Support emotional literacy, resilience, and mental wellbeing.
• Foster respectful, positive relationships both online and offline.
• Prepare pupils for the physical and emotional changes of growing up.
• Promote equality, inclusion, and respect for all.
• Encourage responsible decision-making and personal responsibility.
• Build a strong sense of belonging, community, and citizenship.
• Strengthen safeguarding awareness.

These aims align closely with our school vision, ensuring every pupil is supported to adapt and thrive for the future.

Implementation

To deliver a high-quality PSHE curriculum that meets the 2025 statutory requirements for Relationships Education and Health Education, we use a combination of well-established, evidence-based resources:

• SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) for weekly lessons in class.
• Pol Ed, delivered at key points by teachers and police partners, focusing on safeguarding and community awareness.
• Non Stop Puberty for Year 6 Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), providing clear, age-appropriate information on puberty and reproduction.

Our PSHE teaching is inclusive and accessible, with lessons adapted for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We also incorporate themed weeks such as Anti-Bullying Week, Online Safety Day, and Mental Health Awareness Week, enriching pupils’ learning experiences.

Cross-curricular links are made with Computing, Science, PE, and assemblies to reinforce key messages.

Impact

Through our PSHE programme, pupils develop confidence to express their feelings, make informed and safe choices, and build respectful relationships. They gain essential life skills that contribute to their overall wellbeing and personal success, reflecting the values of care, respect, and community that underpin our school.

What your child will learn

Our curriculum is structured around three core themes, progressively taught from Year 3 to Year 6:

1. Relationships Education (Statutory)

Pupils learn about:

• Families and people who care for them.
• Positive friendships and respect for differences.
• Consent, personal boundaries, and bodily autonomy.
• Online safety, digital behaviour, and recognising risks.
• Bullying (including cyberbullying) and how to seek help.
• Community roles and safeguarding through Pol Ed lessons.

2. Health Education (Statutory)

Pupils explore:

• Mental wellbeing and emotional regulation.
• Healthy lifestyles including diet, exercise, and sleep.
• Personal hygiene and basic first aid.
• Safety in everyday situations.
• Puberty and body changes.
• Managing influences such as peer pressure and online content.

3. Sex Education (Non-Statutory at Primary)

In Year 6, using Non Stop Puberty, pupils learn:

• Human reproduction and how babies are conceived and born.
• Consent, privacy, and bodily autonomy.
• Emotional wellbeing and preparing for secondary school transition.

Parents are informed in advance about Year 6 SRE lessons and can view all teaching resources. While parents cannot withdraw children from statutory Relationships and Health Education, they may request withdrawal from the non-statutory Sex Education lessons after a discussion with school leaders.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment

We understand that PSHE covers sensitive topics. To foster a safe space for learning, we ensure:

• Clear ground rules are set in every class.
• Pupils feel safe to ask questions without sharing personal stories.
• Answers are given factually and sensitively.
• Diversity and difference are respected.
• Safeguarding procedures are strictly followed.

This approach supports our values of respect, inclusion, and care, helping pupils to develop confidence and emotional resilience.

Partnership with Parents and Carers

We believe that working closely with families strengthens pupils’ learning and wellbeing. To support this partnership:

• Parents receive advance notice of puberty and SRE lessons.
• All PSHE resources are available to view on request.
• Termly PSHE overviews are shared via email, encouraging discussions at home.
• Meetings with the Headteacher or PSHE Lead are offered to address any questions or concerns.

North Lakes School is committed to reflecting the diversity of our community in the PSHE curriculum, teaching children to respect difference and challenge discrimination.

Year Group Overviews

Year Group	PSHE Focus Highlights	Pol Ed Integration Examples
Year 3	Me and My Relationships, Keeping Safe Online	Trusted adults, safe/unsafe situations
Year 4	Managing Conflict, Cyberbullying Awareness	Community cohesion, crime prevention basics
Year 5	Healthy Relationships, Online Grooming Risks	Prejudice awareness, law and democracy
Year 6	Controlling Behaviour, Radicalisation Awareness	Digital reputation, transition safety, puberty

Summary

At North Lakes School, our PSHE curriculum is a vital part of nurturing well-rounded, confident pupils who are prepared for life’s challenges. Rooted in our vision of a caring community where everyone can grow and succeed, PSHE equips children with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to thrive safely and respectfully.

For any questions about PSHE or to discuss the curriculum further, please contact our PSHE Lead or the Headteacher. We welcome your involvement and are here to support your child’s journey.

Together, we help every pupil flourish – safely, confidently, and with respect for themselves and others.