Intent

At Meadowhead Junior School, PSHE and RSE education is a vital part of our curriculum, supporting pupils to become confident, resilient, emotionally literate and responsible citizens. Our intention is to equip all children with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

We have tailored the Kapow Primary PSHE and RSE curriculum to reflect the needs, experiences and context of our children, ensuring that learning is relevant, meaningful and inclusive. Alongside Kapow, our bespoke Aspiration, Equality and Diversity (AED) curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to explore identity, equality, diversity, inclusion and aspirations, helping every child to recognise their value and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Our curriculum aims to:

By the end of KS2, pupils will be well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of adolescence and secondary education. They will have the knowledge, confidence and resilience to make informed decisions, maintain positive relationships, respect diversity, recognise risks, keep themselves safe and seek help when needed.

Implementation

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum is delivered through the Kapow Primary Key Stage 2 scheme of work, which we have tailored to reflect the needs, experiences and context of our children. This provides a consistent, progressive and inclusive approach across the school, alongside our bespoke Aspiration, Equality and Diversity (AED) curriculum.

The curriculum is implemented through:

• A progressive and structured curriculum covering Families and Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship and Economic Wellbeing. Learning is revisited and developed over time, building on prior knowledge and preparing pupils for future learning.
• Weekly, high-quality lessons taught by class teachers, with clear learning objectives, explicit vocabulary, discussion, scenarios and age-appropriate activities.
• A safe and inclusive environment where ground rules and respectful discussion enable pupils to explore sensitive issues confidently. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, including pupils with SEND.
• Active and engaging teaching approaches, including discussion, role-play, scenarios, problem-solving, reflection and real-life contexts. Pupils have opportunities to practise decision-making, communication, empathy, resilience and critical thinking.
• Our bespoke AED curriculum, which develops pupils’ understanding of aspiration, equality, diversity and inclusion. This helps children recognise their own potential, understand and celebrate differences, challenge stereotypes and develop a strong sense of belonging.
• A strong focus on keeping safe, including relationships, personal safety, protective behaviours, online safety, digital resilience, puberty and recognising when and how to seek help.
• Links across the wider curriculum and school life, including Science, Computing, PE, assemblies, themed weeks and enrichment opportunities, allowing pupils to apply their learning in meaningful contexts.
• Assessment and monitoring, using Kapow assessment opportunities, teacher observation, questioning, pupil voice and review of pupils’ work. Subject leaders monitor coverage, progression, inclusion and the quality of provision through planning scrutiny, learning walks, staff feedback and pupil voice.

Impact

Through our carefully structured and inclusive PSHE and RSE curriculum, pupils leave Key Stage 2 with the knowledge, skills, confidence and resilience needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. The impact of our curriculum is seen in pupils who:

• Demonstrate confidence, self-awareness, resilience and emotional literacy.
• Develop positive relationships and show respect, empathy and understanding towards others.
• Understand how to support their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
• Recognise risks, know how to keep themselves safe, including online, and understand when and how to seek help.
• Have an age-appropriate understanding of puberty, relationships, personal boundaries and body changes.
• Make informed and responsible decisions and understand the impact of their choices.
• Understand and respect equality, diversity and inclusion, while challenging stereotypes.
• Develop a strong sense of belonging, recognising that they are valued members of their school, community and wider society.
• Develop positive aspirations and recognise their own strengths, potential and ability to contribute.
• Understand their rights and responsibilities and develop an emerging understanding of financial and economic wellbeing.
• Are well-prepared for secondary school, with the knowledge and personal skills needed to make positive choices.

We measure impact through:

• Pupil voice and assessment of knowledge, understanding and confidence.
• Teacher assessment, questioning and reflection.
• Evidence in class books, floor books and pupil outcomes.
• Monitoring of curriculum coverage and progression.
• Behaviour, wellbeing and safeguarding information, where appropriate.
• Feedback from parents, staff and relevant external agencies.

Ultimately, our PSHE and RSE provision, supported by Kapow and our bespoke Aspiration, Equality and Diversity (AED) curriculum, enables pupils to become safe, confident, respectful and resilient individuals who feel valued, develop a strong sense of belonging and are equipped to make positive choices and contribute to society.

Key Points on Curriculum Content and Parental Rights:

1. Relationships Education (Non-Objectionable Content):

   • The primary curriculum emphasises relationships and emotional wellbeing, teaching children about friendships, respect, and family values.
   • Topics cover safe online and offline relationships, changes during puberty, and personal responsibility.
   • Parents cannot withdraw children from these lessons, as relationships and health education are statutory and focus on safeguarding and respectful social skills.

2. Content Parents May Object To:

   • Sex Education: There is no sex education component in primary RSHE, and Meadowhead Junior School does not cover topics such as sexual intercourse, contraception or sexual health.
   • Science Curriculum (Non-Objectionable, but Sensitive Content): While not part of RSHE, the Science curriculum may touch on basic biological aspects of puberty and reproduction (e.g., body parts, changes in puberty). Parents cannot withdraw children from these scientific discussions, as they are part of the statutory Science curriculum.