PSHE and RSE at The Royal School

At The Royal School our PSHE and RSE curriculum aims to give the children the knowledge, skills and attitudes that they need to effectively navigate the complexities of life in the 21st Century whilst supporting them in becoming confident individuals and active members of society. 

We use Kapow Primary's PSHE and RSE scheme of work which covers the Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education statutory guidance (as set out by the DfE) which schools must follow from September 2026. 

The scheme also covers wider PSHE learning, in line with the requirement of the National Curriculum (2014), and learning through the scheme significantly contributes to the children's personal development through promoting and explicitily teaching the four fundamental British values which reflect life in modern Britain: Individual liberty, Democracy, The rule of law and Tolerance of those with different faiths or beliefs.

PSHE and RSE give the children regular opportunities to explore different perspectives, reflect on ethical and emotional issues and think about what is right and fair. The children collaborate with others, build positive relationships and learn to value and respect people from different backgrounds, families and cultures.

The children learn to listen to and respect differing opinions, understand why rules and laws keep people safe, recognise their rights and responsibilities and value the beliefs and lifestyles of others. Lessons encourage debate, fairness and an understanding of how communities function, helping the children develop into thoughtful, respectful and active citizens. 

Our PSHE and RSE curriculums are organised into strands and key areas of learning to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. Strands weave through all units of work demonstrating how the children develop lifelong skills in managing themselves, regulating their emotions, building positive relationships and thinking critically. 

There are three key areas of learning in EYFS which align with the EYFS prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional development, and seven key areas of learing across KS1 and KS2. Some key areas are visited every year, whilst others are visited less frequently, to reflect the volume of content in the statutory guidance and ensure learning is age-appropritate.  

EYFS key areas of learning

• Self-regulation
  
• Building relationships
• Managing self

Key stage 1 and 2 key areas of learning

• My healthy self
• Connecting with others
• The online world
• Citizenship
• Health protection
• Staying safe
• Growing up

Each key area is revisited to enable the children to build upon prior learning. The lessons provide a progressive programme and knowledge organisers are used to summarise the learning for each unit. 

A range of teaching and learning activities are used and are based on good practice in teaching PSHE/RSE education to ensure that all children can access learning and make progress. In Key stage 1 and 2 there is an introductory lesson at the start of each year to negotiate ground rules for the lessons. These ground rules can then be referred to throughout the year to help create a safe learning environment. Lessons are differentiated and scaffolded, as required, so that the needs of each learner is met. Many lessons, stories, scenarios, and video clips provide opportunities for the children to engage in real life and current topics in a safe and structured way. Role-play activities are used to help the children to play out scenarios that they may find themselves in.  

There are meaningful opportunities for cross-curricular learning, particularly in British values which are embedded throughout the the entire curriculum and reflect the school's ethos and culture, in computing regarding on-line safety and in science for growing up, teeth, diet and lifestyle. Lessons provide consistent messages across the school including how the children can safeguard themselves and how and where to access help. 

The role of parents and carers is recognised and the school works closely with parents and carers to include them in their child/children's learning. 

Formative and summative assessment is on-going throughout our curriculum. Teachers use a range of assessment methods to determine the children's level of understanding and determine progression in learning, these assessment methods include the use of quizzes and knowledge catchers. 

The Relationships and Health Education Collective Policy of Windsor First Schools can be found on our school website under our Statutory Info tab in Policies and Procedures.