Why study Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)?

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. All schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice, and this expectation is outlined in the introduction to the proposed new national curriculum.

From September 2020, PSHE will become a statuatory requirement of all primary schools in England.

To allow teachers the flexibility to deliver high-quality PSHE, the Government consider it unnecessary to provide new standardised frameworks or programmes of study. PSHE can encompass many areas of study. Teachers are best placed to understand the needs of their pupils and do not need additional central prescription.

However, while the Government believe that it is for schools to tailor their local PSHE programme to reflect the needs of their pupils, we expect schools to use their PSHE education programme to equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.

Schools should seek to use PSHE education to build, where appropriate, on the statutory content already outlined in the national curriculum, the basic school curriculum and in statutory guidance on: drug education, financial education, sex and relationship education (SRE) and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.

What are the aims of teaching PSHE?

The PSHE Association outlines three core areas that should be taught throughout EYFS, KS1 and KS2. These enable the children to develop the knowledge, skills and a ributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. It helps children and young people to stay healthy and safe, while preparing them to make the most of life and work. 

These three core themes are:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships
• Living in the Wider World

What will my child be learning in PSHE?

Please click on your child's year group below to view the curriculum. Although the learning is separated into distinct areas, in practice your child will be making rich connections across these. For a fuller picture of learning in PSHE at Berkswich, please visit the 'Explore our subjects' tab from the home page.