PSHE and SRE Curriculum Map

Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education serves as the strategic "connective tissue" of a child's development, bridging the gap between academic achievement and the practicalities of adult life.

Rather than a standalone subject, it is a comprehensive framework that prepares children for the complexities of the modern world. Our curriculum is meticulously mapped against the PSHE Association guidelines, ensuring we address vital areas such as inclusion, belonging, and the foundational awareness required to address extremism.

The Foundation:

Nursery and Reception (Ages 3–5)

In the Early Years, the curriculum focuses on the "micro-world" of the child. This stage is dedicated to exploring the immediate environment: their own bodies, their classroom routines, and their emerging emotions. By establishing a sense of safety and predictability, we allow children to develop the confidence needed to interact with the wider world.

Core Learning Milestones:

• Independence: Children progress from following simple routines to mastering self-care, such as dressing and toileting. They begin to manage emotions through self-regulation techniques, such as "doing turtle" (withdrawing into a "shell" to calm down).

• Health: Learning moves from basic hygiene, such as hand washing and oral health, to understanding nutrition through hands-on classroom experiences like healthy bread-making in the Autumn and cooking pancakes in the Spring.

• Social Bonds: Early social development focuses on "taking turns" and "sharing." Children also learn about "people who help us," including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, to build a sense of security within the community.

The Transferable Concept: Boundaries At this age, the concept of "Boundaries" is introduced through "rules and reasons." Children learn that classroom rules and the need to "respect resources" are not arbitrary, but exist to keep everyone safe.

This understanding of rules and shared expectations is the essential first step for later lessons on consent, personal space, and the rule of law. As these routines become second nature, children are prepared for the deeper self-awareness introduced in Key Stage 1.

Expanding Horizons:

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

As children reach ages 5–7, their perspective expands to include a diverse array of families and the wider community. This stage focuses on what makes every individual "unique" and how we belong to various groups.

Progression of Understanding: Year 1 vs. Year 2

The Vocabulary Shift The language children use becomes more sophisticated to help them describe their expanding social landscape:

Building Resilience:

Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

In Years 3 and 4 (Ages 7–9), the curriculum shifts toward personal responsibility and global awareness.

This period marks the transition from supervised safety to active risk management and the introduction of the biological realities of growth.

Health and Safety Progression Children move from "recognizing hazards" in the home and school (Year 3) to "managing risk and peer influence" (Year 4).

This includes learning to listen to their own judgment rather than simply seeking peer approval, a vital skill for maintaining safety both in physical spaces and online.

The "So What?" Layer: Puberty and the Environment In Year 4, the curriculum provides full transparency regarding the human body and the global ecosystem:

• Biological Changes: Children learn about the physical and emotional shifts of puberty, including menstruation, menstrual wellbeing, erections, and wet dreams. Understanding these processes early removes stigma and prepares children for their evolving bodies.

• Sustainability: By exploring Fairtrade, recycling, and the impact of single-use plastics, children learn that their choices as consumers have a direct effect on the global environment.

This level of awareness fosters the critical thinking required for the high-stakes topics of the final primary years.

Mastery and Transition:

Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6)

Years 5 and 6 (Ages 10–11) represent the "Critical Literacy" phase. The curriculum tackles complex topics to prepare students for the independence of secondary school.

Critical "Powerful Knowledge" Points:

1. Media Literacy: Students evaluate "reliable content" versus "manipulated images." Crucially, they learn to recognize the risks of gambling-related activities and how information is targeted to influence them.

2. Health and First Aid: Mastery includes high-level independence, such as performing First Aid for choking, asthma attacks, and allergic reactions. Students also study the impact of legal and illegal drugs, understanding how habits and addictions are formed.

3. Deepening Relationships: The focus moves to "attraction," "consent," and the fact that civil partnerships and marriage are legal choices. They learn the biological facts of how babies are conceived through sexual intercourse.

The Interconnected Web The "Trusted Adult" concept, introduced in Nursery for simple help, matures into a vital safeguard.

In Year 6, students are taught how to seek help for mental ill-health and are informed that FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is illegal and a violation of human rights.

This progression ensures that by the time a student leaves primary school, they are a confident, informed citizen ready for the world.

Summary of Vocabulary Progression:

A Tool for Parents

The language a child uses is a barometer for their emotional and social maturity.

Using precise terms at home reinforces the "Powerful Knowledge" they gain at school.

Evolution of Expression:

• Early Years: Happy, Sad, Sharing, Gentle, Rules and Reasons.

• Middle Years: Resilience, Empathy, Hazard, Inclusion, Menstrual Wellbeing.

• Later Years: Identity, Stereotype, Influence, Conceived, Civil Partnership, Lawful, FGM.

The "So What?" for Parents By adopting this shared vocabulary, parents can have clearer, more meaningful conversations with their children.

This consistency between home and school ensures that children feel supported by a unified language of safety, respect, and growth.

We view this curriculum as a vital partnership. Together, we can ensure every child has the vocabulary and the confidence to navigate their journey of growth with success.