PHSE and RSHE, Fishponds CE Primary School

Intent

At Fishponds C of E Primary School, PSHE and RSHE are firmly rooted in the school’s Christian ethos of love: loving oneself and loving one another. Through this curriculum, pupils are supported to understand that everyone is unique and that these differences should be recognised, respected and celebrated.

PSHE and RSHE at Fishponds help pupils to flourish as valued members of both the school and the wider community. The curriculum equips them with essential knowledge and skills such as understanding and managing emotions, developing healthy habits, keeping themselves safe and building positive, respectful relationships. These lessons provide a foundation that helps children navigate the world around them with confidence and compassion.

Without PSHE and RSHE, pupils may not develop the full range of tools needed to stay safe physically, mentally and online. The school recognises the vital role this curriculum plays in preparing children for the complexities of modern life. It supports them to act with love and respect towards themselves and others which, in turn, sets the groundwork for safe, healthy and fulfilling lives in the future.

Implementation

Fishponds C of E Primary School delivers its PSHE curriculum through the Jigsaw scheme of work. PSHE is taught weekly by the class teacher, ensuring that pupils have regular opportunities to develop their understanding of themselves and others. The Jigsaw scheme is organised into six progressive strands — Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Changing Me and Relationships. These units build year on year so that pupils revisit key concepts at a deeper level as they move through the school.

In addition to weekly lessons, the school enhances its PSHE provision through dedicated whole‑school events. An annual Safety Day provides pupils with focused learning on how to stay safe in a wide range of contexts including personal safety, online safety and safety within the community. Anti‑Bullying Week is also held each year, with a new theme chosen to reflect current issues relevant to pupils' experiences. These events strengthen the children’s understanding of key messages and embed a culture of kindness, respect and responsibility across the school.

RSHE is delivered as an integral part of the Jigsaw sequence of lessons. To ensure that the curriculum remains transparent and supportive to families, parental engagement is a key feature of the school’s approach. Each year, the PSHE lead gathers feedback from a parent focus group following a presentation of the RSHE content and resources. After this review, the wider parent community is invited to view the materials so that all families feel informed and able to support their children’s learning.

Impact

The PSHE and RSHE curriculum at Fishponds C of E Primary School has a strong and positive impact on pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and relationships. Through consistent, carefully structured teaching, pupils develop the knowledge, vocabulary and emotional literacy needed to understand themselves and others. They grow in confidence, resilience and self‑awareness and demonstrate the ability to manage challenges both in and beyond school.

Pupils are able to articulate their feelings with increasing maturity and show an understanding of how their behaviour affects others. They learn to recognise difference, celebrate diversity and respond to others with kindness and respect. As a result, the school community is characterised by inclusive attitudes, positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging.

The curriculum supports pupils in developing healthy habits and making informed choices that contribute to both physical and mental wellbeing. Pupils understand how to stay safe in a range of contexts including online environments which helps them to navigate the world responsibly and with greater independence.

The effectiveness of the PSHE and RSHE curriculum is evident in the behaviour, attitudes and personal growth of the pupils. Monitoring through pupil voice, lesson visits and work scrutiny shows that children retain key knowledge and apply it in their everyday interactions. Families also report that the curriculum supports meaningful conversations at home and helps children understand themselves and their relationships more deeply.

Ultimately, the impact of PSHE and RSHE at Fishponds C of E Primary School is seen in the development of thoughtful, compassionate and confident pupils who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in the wider world.