PSHE
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) at Ashton Hayes Primary School
Vision for PSHE
At Ashton Hayes Primary School, we believe that Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is fundamental in preparing children to lead happy, healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. We want every child to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to become confident, compassionate and responsible members of society.
As a small rural primary school in Cheshire, we are proud of our close-knit school community where positive relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our PSHE curriculum reflects this through our whole-school golden thread of 'Be Kind'. Kindness underpins our interactions, our behaviour, our relationships and our understanding of the wider world. We believe that children who learn to treat others with kindness, empathy and respect are better equipped to contribute positively to their communities both now and in the future.
Whilst our pupils benefit from growing up within a safe and supportive rural community, we also recognise the importance of preparing them for life beyond Ashton Hayes. Our curriculum intentionally broadens children's understanding of the wider world, helping them develop resilience, emotional wellbeing, respect for diversity and the confidence to make informed choices throughout their lives.
Keeping children safe is a central priority within our curriculum. We want every child to develop the confidence to recognise risks, make sensible decisions, seek help when needed and understand how to keep themselves and others safe in an increasingly complex world. Through carefully planned learning and real-life experiences, pupils develop the knowledge and confidence to stay safe both offline and online, at home, in school and within the wider community.
We aim for all pupils to:
- develop confidence, resilience and positive self-esteem
- understand the importance of kindness, empathy and respect in all relationships
- develop the knowledge and skills to make safe, healthy and responsible choices
- understand how to keep themselves physically, emotionally and digitally safe
- recognise and manage risk appropriately in a range of situations
- develop healthy relationships built on trust, respect and equality
- appreciate and celebrate diversity within modern Britain and the wider world
- become responsible citizens who contribute positively to their communities
- understand how to look after their physical health, mental wellbeing and emotional resilience
Implementation
PSHE is taught through the SCARF curriculum, which provides a carefully sequenced and progressive programme of learning that fully meets the statutory requirements for Relationships Education, Health Education and the non-statutory elements of PSHE. The curriculum is carefully planned so that knowledge, skills and understanding build progressively from EYFS through to Year 6.
Our whole-school 'Be Kind' ethos is woven throughout every aspect of school life and is reflected across the PSHE curriculum. Lessons encourage pupils to develop empathy, respect, resilience and emotional intelligence while providing regular opportunities to reflect on how their actions affect others. These values are reinforced daily through assemblies, classroom discussions, celebration events and the wider life of the school.
Keeping children safe is a significant strength of our curriculum and extends well beyond classroom lessons. Pupils participate in a wide range of carefully planned enrichment experiences that help them understand how to recognise, assess and manage risks in real-life situations. These include workshops delivered by the NSPCC, water safety education provided by the Canal & River Trust, participation in Crucial Crew, where pupils learn how to respond safely in a variety of potentially hazardous situations, fire safety workshops delivered by the local Fire and Rescue Service, and regular visits from the police to support learning around personal safety, community responsibility and making positive choices.
Teachers create safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments where pupils feel confident to ask questions, express opinions and discuss sensitive issues appropriately. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, ensuring every child can access the curriculum successfully.
The curriculum is further enhanced through whole-school initiatives, themed days, charity events, pupil leadership opportunities, visits and visitors, enabling children to apply their learning in meaningful contexts and develop the confidence to become active, responsible members of the school and wider community.
Impact
Through the PSHE curriculum at Ashton Hayes Primary School, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead healthy, safe and responsible lives.
Pupils leave our school with a strong understanding of how to build positive relationships, manage their emotions, show kindness and respect towards others and contribute positively to their communities. They understand that kindness is not simply an expectation within school but a value that shapes the way they interact with people throughout their lives.
Children develop a secure understanding of how to recognise and manage risks, both in everyday situations and within an increasingly complex world. Through the rich programme of safety education and enrichment experiences, they are equipped to make informed decisions, seek help when needed and understand their own responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe.
Pupils develop resilience, independence and confidence as they progress through the curriculum. They understand the importance of maintaining positive physical health, mental wellbeing and emotional resilience and are equipped with strategies to support their own wellbeing both now and in the future.
By exploring diversity, equality, inclusion and life in modern Britain, pupils develop empathy, respect and an appreciation of different perspectives and experiences. They leave Ashton Hayes Primary School prepared not only for the next stage of their education but also for life beyond school.
Ultimately, pupils leave Ashton Hayes Primary School as kind, respectful and responsible young people who embody our vision to 'Aspire to be Amazing'. They are confident in making positive choices, understand how to keep themselves and others safe, and are well prepared to thrive as active citizens within an ever-changing world.