Personal, Social, Health, Economic & Citizenship (PSHEC) Education
Purpose and Aims of the Subject
At Adderley Primary School, we believe that Personal, Social, Health, Economic and Citizenship Education (PSHEC) plays a vital role in supporting pupils’ personal development and wellbeing. Our PSHEC curriculum helps children develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as learners and as responsible citizens in an ever-changing world.
Our PSHEC curriculum aims to:
- Provide every child with meaningful learning experiences that enable them to achieve their full potential and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
- Support pupils in developing confidence, resilience, self-belief and positive relationships.
- Promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental, emotional and physical development of all pupils.
- Meet the needs of all learners by recognising and valuing differences including gender, ability, ethnicity, culture, religion and family background.
- Prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
- Promote equality, inclusion and respect in line with the Equality Act 2010.
- Teach children about their rights and responsibilities as members of their school, local community and wider society.
- Support pupils in understanding and respecting diversity and living in a multicultural society.
- Help children recognise and challenge unsafe, harmful or extremist influences and stay safe in the modern world.
Through our PSHEC provision, we aim to equip children with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become confident, respectful and responsible global citizens.
How the Subject is Taught in Practice
PSHEC is taught from Reception through to Year 6, with all classes receiving at least one hour of dedicated curriculum time each week.
The curriculum is carefully planned by the PSHEC subject leaders and delivered by class teachers, who adapt lessons to meet the needs of their pupils. Teachers receive appropriate professional development and guidance to ensure high-quality delivery.
PSHEC is taught through:
- Weekly PSHEC lessons.
- Dedicated wellbeing lessons.
- Accessible Wellbeing Hub
- Votes for Schools assemblies which encourage discussion and debate about current issues.
- UNICEF class assemblies
- Schools of Sanctuary class assemblies
- Cross-curricular links with other subjects.
- Whole-school assemblies and themed events and days.
Children’s learning is supported through a connectivity approach, where lessons build on prior learning. Teachers regularly revisit previous learning intentions, encourage discussion and reflection, and support pupils in applying their knowledge in new contexts.
Learning is also enriched through participation in national and school events, including:
- Safer Internet Day
- Anti-Bullying Week
- Road Safety Week
- Children’s Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day
- Black History Month
- International Women’s Day
- UNICEF awareness events
- International Women’s Day
- World Book Day
- Remembrance Day
- NSPCC Number Day
- Children’s Rights Day
- Refugee Week
- Climate Change COP Week
Citizenship is an important element of our PSHEC curriculum. Pupils learn about:
- Fundamental British Values
- Democracy and decision making
- Community and belonging
- Diversity and equality
- Respectful discussion and differing viewpoints
Children also have opportunities to engage with charities and external organisations to broaden their understanding of social responsibility. These include partnerships with organisations such as UNICEF, NSPCC, Women’s Aid, Loudmouth, Schools of Sanctuary, Stories of Hope and Home, Money Matters, HSBC, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, HS2, WE Schools, and participation in initiatives such as Youth Parliament.
External visitors provide specialist sessions to support learning in areas such as safeguarding, healthy relationships and personal safety.
The Outcomes of the Curriculum and Assessment
Through our PSHEC curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, relationships and responsibilities in society.
As a result of this provision:
- Children develop confidence, resilience and self-belief.
- Pupils demonstrate respect, tolerance and empathy towards others.
- Relationships across the school are built on mutual respect and trust.
- Pupils understand their rights and responsibilities and how they can positively contribute to their community.
- Children feel safe, valued and included within the school environment.
- Pupils are able to discuss important social and moral issues and understand how their actions can make a positive difference locally and globally.
Assessment in PSHEC is ongoing and formative. Teachers monitor progress through discussion, observation and evidence collected in PSHEC portfolios, which include photographs and examples of pupils’ work demonstrating their learning and understanding.
Pupils are also given opportunities to develop leadership skills and influence positive change through pupil-led groups, campaigns and community projects.
Our PSHEC curriculum continues to evolve to ensure it remains relevant, responsive to current issues and supportive of the personal development of all pupils.