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PSHE

INTENT

At Forest Academy we are committed to providing an excellent and inclusive educational experience for every child. Our PSHE curriculum (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) supports pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves safe and healthy, to build positive relationships, and to prepare for life in modern Britain.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the school’s aims and the Building Learning Power (BLP) dispositions, ensuring consistency in how pupils learn to be:

  • Ready to learn: Pupils bring a positive and confident attitude to learning; they are physically and emotionally ready and engaged.

  • Resourceful: Pupils show initiative, ask questions and use a range of strategies to solve problems.

  • Reflective: Pupils are curious and willing to learn from experience; they can describe their learning progress.

  • Resilient: Pupils persevere through challenge and stay involved in learning even when it is difficult.

  • Reciprocal: Pupils support each other and work collaboratively as a team.

Our PSHE curriculum contributes to children’s spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Children are encouraged to explore, reflect on and, when appropriate, challenge their own and others’ values, attitudes and beliefs.

We recognise that statutory Relationships Education, Health Education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) requirements will come into force from 1 September 2026 in England; our curriculum is designed to ensure full coverage of this updated guidance within a coherent PSHE framework.

Our approach:

  • Integrates citizenship, personal wellbeing, relationships, health (including mental wellbeing), online safety and economic wellbeing.

  • Is taught through timetabled lessons and reinforced across the curriculum (assemblies, themed days/weeks, educational visits and extracurricular activities).

  • Builds strong foundations in early years and develops progressively through KS1 and KS2.

IMPLEMENTATION

EYFS

In Early Years, PSHE is delivered through the Physical, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) area of learning. Children explore relationships, feelings, appropriate behaviours and self‑confidence through structured activities and continuous provision. Our EYFS provision builds foundations for later statutory learning and is supported by the 1Decision scheme.

KS1 and KS2

We use the 1Decision scheme of work to support curriculum planning and delivery. The scheme covers topics that support statutory and non‑statutory aspects of PSHE, including but not limited to:

  • Keeping and staying safe (including online safety)

  • Keeping and staying healthy (including physical and mental wellbeing)

  • Relationships and respectful behaviour

  • Growing, changing and personal development

  • Emotional literacy and regulation

  • Citizenship, responsibility and community participation

  • Economic wellbeing and the working world

  • Understanding wider global and environmental issues

Teachers adapt and plan to ensure content is age‑appropriate, sensitive and inclusive, meeting the needs of all pupils and complementing the statutory requirements for relationships, health and sex education from September 2026.

Statutory RSE and Health Education

From September 2026, schools must follow updated statutory guidance for:

  • Primary Relationships Education (all primary pupils)

  • Primary Health Education (including aspects of mental health, physical health, safety and wellbeing)

  • (Primary) Sex Education that is age‑appropriate and meeting parental engagement expectations*

(*Sex education in primary settings is not compulsory under statutory guidance, but where taught it must be age‑appropriate, with parents informed and consulted; parents retain their right to withdraw children from sex education components while still receiving relationships and health education).

Whole‑School Reinforcement

PSHE principles are reinforced through:

  • Circle Time

  • School Council

  • OneLife Suffolk sessions

  • Discussion groups

  • Themed weeks (e.g., Mental Health and Wellbeing Week; Anti‑Bullying Week)

  • Targeted assemblies and workshops

Our teaching methods include discussion, pupil‑led inquiry, role‑play, reflection and real‑life scenarios to build understanding and skills.

IMPACT

We assess how well pupils are developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes associated with PSHE through a range of approaches:

  • Formative assessment: ongoing teacher questioning and observation in lessons.

  • Pupil voice: listening to pupils about their understanding and experiences.

  • Lesson observations and learning walks: to evaluate curriculum delivery and engagement.

  • Recorded outcomes: evidence of pupil understanding in class discussions and observed behaviour.

We expect pupils at Forest Academy to:

  • Demonstrate safe, positive attitudes towards themselves and others.

  • Understand how to manage feelings, relationships and personal safety.

  • Build resilience, self‑confidence and interpersonal skills.

  • Make informed decisions about health and wellbeing, including online life.

  • Show respect for diversity and understand the importance of equality and inclusion.

RSE Communication with Parents

We provide parents with clear information about planned RSE content in advance, including materials to be covered and the right to engage in dialogue about the curriculum. Parental engagement supports understanding of content and reinforces learning at home.