Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)
At Grafton Primary School, we believe education is about far more than academic success. It is about helping children understand themselves, care for others and develop the confidence to make thoughtful, informed choices throughout their lives.
Our PSHE curriculum prepares children not just for the next year group, but for life beyond primary school. Through discussion, reflection and real-life situations, children learn how to build healthy relationships, manage emotions, keep themselves safe and become active, responsible members of their community.
Above all, PSHE gives children something incredibly important: the confidence to understand themselves and the world around them.
Preparing Children for Life
PSHE is woven through everyday life at Grafton.
It helps children develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to navigate an increasingly complex world with confidence, kindness and resilience. From understanding friendships and managing emotions to recognising unsafe situations, celebrating diversity and making healthy choices, children are gradually equipped with the tools they need to thrive.
Learning is carefully planned so that ideas are introduced at the right time and revisited as children mature, allowing understanding to deepen year by year.
Every Child Has a Voice
One of the greatest strengths of PSHE is that every child has the opportunity to be heard.
Lessons are discussion-rich, practical and engaging. Children learn through conversation, role play, collaborative activities, problem-solving and real-life scenarios rather than simply completing worksheets. This encourages children to think critically, listen respectfully to different viewpoints and express their own ideas with growing confidence.
By creating a safe and supportive classroom environment, we help children develop the confidence to ask questions, share opinions and learn from one another.
Relationships, Health and Wellbeing
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) forms part of our wider PSHE curriculum and is taught in an age-appropriate, sensitive and inclusive way.
Our aim is to help children develop healthy relationships, understand their emotions, respect themselves and others and recognise how to keep themselves safe, both offline and online. Lessons also prepare children for growing up by introducing topics such as puberty, personal boundaries and body changes with care, accuracy and sensitivity.
Throughout the curriculum, we promote empathy, respect, inclusion and an appreciation of the many different families, communities and experiences that make up modern Britain.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
PSHE is not confined to one lesson each week.
Children apply their learning every day through opportunities to work together, solve problems and take responsibility within the wider school community.
A wonderful example of this is our Playground Friends programme. Older pupils organise games, welcome younger children into activities and help everyone feel included during playtimes. These experiences develop leadership, empathy and confidence while strengthening friendships across year groups. As children take ownership of these roles, they learn that leadership is about kindness, responsibility and helping others to belong.
Preparing Children for the Modern World
Children today are growing up in a world that changes rapidly.
Our curriculum helps them understand the opportunities and challenges they may encounter, including online safety, artificial intelligence, healthy relationships, stereotypes, mental health, consent, boundaries and personal wellbeing. Learning is continually reviewed and updated to reflect emerging issues and national guidance, ensuring it remains relevant, responsive and meaningful.
Rather than teaching children what to think, we teach them how to think critically, ask questions and make thoughtful decisions.
An Inclusive Curriculum
Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in what they learn.
Our PSHE curriculum celebrates diversity, promotes equality and ensures that every child feels respected, valued and included. Lessons are adapted where needed so that all learners, including those with SEND, can participate fully and confidently.
We believe children flourish when they feel accepted for who they are and are encouraged to appreciate the experiences and perspectives of others.
PSHE Through Our Values
Everything we teach in PSHE reflects the values that shape life at Grafton Primary School.
Love – Building positive relationships, caring for ourselves and showing compassion towards others.
Creativity – Exploring ideas through discussion, role play, problem-solving and collaborative learning.
Kindness – Developing empathy, understanding different perspectives and learning how our actions affect others.
Inclusion – Celebrating diversity and ensuring every child feels heard, respected and valued.
Resilience – Helping children manage emotions, overcome challenges and make positive choices when life feels difficult.
Empowerment – Giving children the knowledge, confidence and language to make informed decisions, ask for help when they need it and become responsible citizens.
When children leave Grafton Primary School, we hope they leave with much more than knowledge.
- We hope they understand who they are.
- We hope they know how to build healthy relationships.
- We hope they have the confidence to ask questions, think critically and make positive choices.
- We hope they recognise the importance of kindness, respect and inclusion.
Above all, we hope they leave knowing that their voice matters and that they have the confidence to make a positive difference in the world around them.
Documents and Links
RSE Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
Dfe Guidance on Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education (2025)