PSHE and RSHE

Believe

Our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum is rooted in the belief that every child should feel valued, understood and prepared for life beyond school. We believe in nurturing children’s physical, emotional and moral development so they can understand themselves, respect others and build and sustain healthy relationships.

We aim to develop confident, reflective individuals who have a strong awareness of their own wellbeing and a deep respect for others. Through our PSHE curriculum, children are supported to believe in themselves as active, responsible members of a diverse society, understanding their rights and responsibilities.

We believe every child can:

• communicate and manage their thoughts and feelings effectively
• develop resilience and independence
• thrive as individuals, family members and members of the wider global community

Learn

Our PSHE curriculum is delivered through Jigsaw PSHE programme, a mindful and progressive approach that includes Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

Jigsaw is structured into six strands, taught annually, allowing children to revisit and build upon key themes as they grow. This consistent structure supports children in becoming familiar with the format while deepening their understanding over time.

Lessons are delivered by class teachers in a calm, safe and open environment where children are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas and engage in meaningful discussions. Through this approach, children learn to:

• reflect on their experiences
• understand their personal, physical and social development
• explore spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of life

Learning is supported through:

• class discussions and collaborative activities
• opportunities for personal reflection
• recorded work in PSHE books and displays

PSHE extends beyond discrete lessons through:

• assemblies (whole school, Key Stage and class)
• cross-curricular links (e.g. RE, Geography)
• pupil leadership opportunities such as School Council (Years 3–6)
• wider school experiences including partner work and leadership roles

We are committed to inclusion and ensure all children can access the curriculum through appropriate support. Assessment for learning is used by all staff to adapt teaching and plan next steps. Thrive assessments further support staff in identifying and responding to the needs of individuals and classes.

Grow

Through our PSHE curriculum, children grow into caring, respectful and confident individuals who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

Children demonstrate:

• the British Values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, the rule of law and individual liberty
• the skills and understanding needed to be responsible citizens locally and globally
• a positive attitude to learning and achievement across the curriculum

Our children leave us with the ability to form positive relationships, manage their wellbeing and navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Impact is measured through:

• ongoing assessment for learning
• Thrive assessments to monitor emotional development
• pupil voice, including surveys and School Council discussions
• evidence of understanding in areas such as e-safety and anti-bullying

Believe

At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we believe that education is about the formation of character as well as the development of knowledge. RSHE lies at the heart of our Christian vision to nurture the whole child – body, mind, heart and spirit.

We believe every child is uniquely created by God, deeply valued, and worthy of dignity, respect and care. RSHE supports children in understanding themselves, building healthy relationships, respecting others and living responsibly within their communities and the wider world.

Rooted in Christian values of love, compassion, forgiveness, justice, humility, respect and service, RSHE nurtures identity, wellbeing, resilience and integrity.

We believe RSHE should:

• Nurture emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Develop self-worth, identity and confidence
• Build healthy, respectful relationships
• Foster empathy, kindness and compassion
• Promote dignity, equality and respect for all
• Support moral development and integrity
• Encourage responsibility and wise decision-making
• Prepare children for life in a diverse society
• Support safeguarding and personal safety
• Develop reflective, thoughtful individuals

Our vision is to develop children who are kind, confident, resilient and responsible, rooted in Christian values and equipped to live well, love generously and serve faithfully.

Learn

RSHE at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is delivered through a structured, progressive and statutory-compliant curriculum that fully meets the DfE Relationships, Sex and Health Education requirements for primary schools.

We teach RSHE through Jigsaw, which provides a coherent, age-appropriate and progressive programme that covers:

Statutory RSHE Areas:

Relationships Education

• Families and people who care for me
• Caring friendships
• Respectful relationships
• Online relationships
• Being safe

Health Education

• 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 (age appropriate)

Sex Education (Primary, age-appropriate and statutory where required)

• Growing and changing
• Human development
• Respect, dignity and relationships
• Taught sensitively, appropriately and in partnership with parents

Curriculum Structure (Jigsaw Strands):

1. Being Me in My World
2. Celebrating Difference
3. Dreams and Goals
4. Healthy Me
5. Relationships
6. Changing Me

Learning is shaped through:

• Safe, respectful learning environments
• Clear safeguarding frameworks
• Trauma-informed and inclusive practice
• Thrive assessments and wellbeing tracking
• Assessment for Learning
• Pastoral support systems
• Class discussion and reflection
• Collective worship and assemblies
• Cross-curricular links
• Pupil voice and leadership
• Family partnerships
• External agency support when needed

RSHE is embedded across school life through:

• Behaviour culture
• Safeguarding systems
• Anti-bullying strategies
• Online safety education
• British Values
• SMSC development
• Collective worship
• School ethos and daily relationships

Grow

Through this curriculum, children grow into emotionally literate, confident and compassionate individuals who:

• Understand themselves and others
• Build healthy, respectful relationships
• Manage emotions and behaviour positively
• Show kindness, empathy and forgiveness
• Demonstrate resilience and self-belief
• Respect difference and diversity
• Make safe and wise choices
• Act responsibly and ethically
• Live out Christian values
• Serve their community
• Protect themselves and others
• Live with dignity and respect

The impact of RSHE at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is seen through:

• Positive wellbeing and mental health
• Strong safeguarding culture
• Confident, respectful relationships
• Emotional literacy and resilience
• Positive behaviour and attitudes
• Respect for diversity
• Strong pupil voice
• British Values in action
• SMSC development
• Confident transitions and life readiness

Children leave Ridgeway Farm CE Academy as grounded, confident and compassionate young people, equipped with character, values and wisdom to navigate life with courage, faith and hope — living well, loving others and serving faithfully as part of God’s family.