At Cathedral Primary School, we want children to be equipped with all the skills to be active members and support the many voices in their community, the United Kingdom and wider world; whilst also thriving individually. Through PSHE, they will develop skills and courage to understand how to deal with unfamiliar situations or new challenges, be encouraged to develop mutual respect and celebrate differences so that there is one harmony. 

To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, pupils need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their well-being, health and relationships and to build their self efficacy. Pupils can also put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks, challenges and complex contexts. Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. These subjects can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support. The PSHE curriculum also includes the teaching of RSE. This statutory element will help the children to develop safe and healthy relationships throughout their lives. We encourage children to express their emotions appropriately, develop empathy and learn about the importance of looking after and respecting their physical and mental health.

PSHE is taught under the themes of Family and relationships; Health and Wellbeing; Safety and the changing body; Citizenship; Economic Wellbeing and Identity (Year 6 only). 

Please click here to read about the intent, implementation and impact of our PSHE curriculum.

We teach PSHE through Kapow, which is a whole school, planned programme of learning through which children can acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to effectively navigate the complexities of life in the 21st century.  The curriculum covers key areas which will support children to make informed choices now and in the future around their health, safety, wellbeing, relationships, and financial matters and will support them in becoming confident individuals and active members of society. 

We aim for children: 

• To nurture mutual trust and respect 
• To develop informed and responsible healthy life choices and to have a positive out-look towards health 
• To foster self-respect and self-worth amongst each other and the wider community 
• To develop understanding and tolerance 
• To develop social, economic, political and ecological understanding 
• To understand how to keep themselves and those around them safe 
• To develop the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. 
• To promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school. 
• To prepare pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life

At Cathedral Primary we promote “British values” through our culturally inclusive curriculum. We believe that it is hard to define what constitutes “Britishness” or national identity and prefer to celebrate the similarities and differences that make us unique. We embrace and support the multiple ways our community connects with British society.

Through our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and we help children to understand the standard set out by the DfE, including:

● An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process

● An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law

● An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination

The strong focus on equality and equity at Cathedral Primary School supports and encourages children to think critically and challenge stereotypes. Discrimination and harassment are extremely rare and the School’s positive behaviour management policy helps children understand their responsibility to manage their emotions and the importance of respecting others. The School prides itself on the importance it places on being proud of one’s heritage and the value in feeling a sense of belonging.

The PSHE curriculum also includes the teaching of Relationships and Sex Education. This statutory element will help the children to develop safe and healthy relationships throughout their lives.  We encourage children to express their emotions appropriately, develop empathy and learn about the importance of looking after their physical and mental health. Please see below for details of our RSHE curriculum and your rights. 

Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and statutory duties in school  

RSHE plays a very important part in fulfilling the statutory duties all schools have to meet. RSHE helps children  understand the difference between safe and abusive relationships and equips them with the skills to get help if  they need it. State-funded schools have responsibilities for safeguarding and a legal duty to promote pupil well being (Education and Inspections Act 2006 Section 38). Some aspects of the relationship education curriculum  are delivered in Kapow lessons throughout the year, although these tend to be weighted in the Term 3 lessons  and part of the “Safety and The Changing Body”. 

Relationships Education  

Relationships Education in primary schools will cover ‘family and relationships’, ‘Caring friendships’,  ‘Respectful relationships’, ‘Online relationships’, and ‘Being safe’.  In Kapow, relationships will be covered in the ‘family and relationships unit’ which includes ‘learning how to form respectful relationships with others’, ‘deal with conflict and bullying’  and ‘the importance of challenging stereotypes’. 

Health Education 

Health Education in primary schools will cover ‘Mental wellbeing’, ‘Internet safety and harms’, 'Physical health  and fitness’, 'Healthy eating’, ‘Drugs, alcohol and tobacco’, ‘Health and prevention’, ‘Basic First Aid’, ‘Changing  adolescent body’. In Kapow, health education will be covered in the ‘Health and wellbeing’ The children will learn strategies for looking after their mental and physical health, including: healthy eating, relaxation techniques, sun safety, immunisation facts and the benefits of sleep. They also cover the unit ‘safety and the changing body’. Learning how to administer first aid in a variety of situations and about safety around medicines, online and road safety and the changes which occur during puberty. Teaching children about puberty is now a statutory requirement which sits within the Health Education part of the DfE guidance within  the ‘Safety and the changing body’ unit of learning.  

Sex Education  

The DfE Guidance 2019 (p.23) recommends that all primary schools ‘have a sex education programme tailored  to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the pupils. However, ‘Sex Education is not compulsory in  primary schools’ (p. 23).  

Schools are to determine the content of sex education at primary school. Sex education ‘should ensure that both  boys and girls are prepared for the changes that adolescence brings and – drawing on knowledge of the human  life cycle set out in the national curriculum for science - how a baby is conceived and born’. At Cathedral Primary  School, we believe that effective RSHE can make a significant contribution to the development of the personal  skills needed by pupils if they are to establish and maintain relationships. It also enables children and young  people to make responsible and informed decisions about their health and well-being. We believe children  should understand the facts about puberty and human reproduction before they leave primary school.

 Parent/Carer Right to Withdraw  

At Cathedral Primary School, Sex Education is an important and essential part of a child’s education and will be  taught in a way which is developmentally appropriate for each year group. However, parents/ carers do have the  right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of the PSHE  (and Relationships and Health Education) curriculum.  

In Term 2, parents/ carers will be informed about the RSHE content that is being taught in Term 3. This is  presented in a letter alongside the curriculum material. The curriculum material will also be available on the website. Parents/  carers have the opportunity to ask questions after this has been sent out. Additionally, parents/ carers can email the PSHE lead with the  specific email address rshe@cathedralprimaryschool.org. If a parent or carer wishes their child to be withdrawn from Sex Education lessons, this request must be given in writing.  

The Kapow Primary scheme of work includes two Year 6 lessons in which parents have the opportunity to withdraw their children from all/part of the lesson: Safety and the changing body: Lesson 5: Conception and Lesson 6: Pregnancy and birth. No other year groups have any lessons which parents can withdraw their children from. 

It is worth noticing that the National Curriculum for Science requires children to know how mammals reproduce. This  subject knowledge will therefore be taught within our Science curriculum. Due to this, we feel that it is important  that children receive both elements of the curriculum; however, we understand that it is down to your disclosure.