PSHE

Overview

At Coleridge Primary School, we follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme, which provides a whole-school approach to personal, social, health and economic education. Jigsaw brings together PSHE, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and aspects of personal and spiritual development.

Jigsaw is designed as a whole-school programme, with all year groups exploring the same theme, or ‘Puzzle’,at the same time. The content is carefully sequenced so that children revisit and build on their knowledge and skills as they progress through the school. This provides a consistent approach to PSHE across Coleridge and allows whole-school themes and learning to be shared and celebrated.

Jigsaw supports children to develop their understanding of themselves, their relationships with others and their place within the wider world. Lessons provide opportunities for children to discuss relevant issues, develop vocabulary, consider different perspectives and practise the skills needed to make safe, healthy and responsible choices.

The six Jigbsaw Puzzles

Being Me in My World: Exploring identity, belonging, rights and responsibilities, and understanding our place within our school and wider community.

Celebrating Difference: Understanding and respecting diversity, recognising similarities and differences, and challenging stereotypes and discrimination.

Dreams and Goals: Developing aspirations, setting goals, recognising strengths and learning how to respond to challenges and setbacks.

Healthy Me: Developing knowledge and understanding of physical and mental health, healthy lifestyles, safety and making informed choices.

Relationships: Developing healthy and respectful relationships, communication skills, understanding boundaries and recognising how relationships can change.

Changing Me: Understanding change, growing and developing, and preparing for the physical and emotional changes that happen as children grow.

Relationships and Sex Education

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) forms an important part of our PSHE curriculum. Our RSE curriculum covers all statutory content required for primary schools in England, alongside additional age-appropriate content which supports children to understand relationships, health, growing up and personal safety.

Children learn about relationships, families, friendships, respect, personal boundaries, privacy, consent, keeping safe and where to seek help. As children move through the school, learning develops appropriately to their age and stage. This includes lessons about puberty, physical and emotional changes, menstruation and the changes that take place as children grow, helping pupils to understand and prepare for these changes in a factual and age-appropriate way.

Alongside our Jigsaw lessons, we work with Big Talk Education to provide additional specialist sessions to support our RSE curriculum, including age-appropriate learning around growing and changing and puberty. Parents and carers will always be informed in advance when Big Talk Education sessions are taking place, including information about the content covered.

Our RSE curriculum is taught sensitively and respectfully, with opportunities for children to ask questions and develop the knowledge and vocabulary they need to understand themselves, their relationships and how to keep themselves safe.

How Jigsaw is organised

There are six Puzzles, which are taught as half-term units of work. Each Puzzle is made up of a sequence of lessons, with learning becoming progressively more detailed as children move through the year groups.

Each year group studies the same Puzzle at broadly the same time, in a sequence running from September to July. This enables the whole school to focus on shared themes and provides opportunities to celebrate and display children’s learning through activities and end-of-Puzzle outcomes, such as displays, exhibitions and collaborative projects.

Curriculum Aims

Our PSHE curriculum follows the Jigsaw programme and supports the principles of the Coleridge vision. PSHE at Coleridge Primary School helps children develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to look after their physical and mental health, build positive relationships and make safe and informed choices. Through age-appropriate lessons and discussion, children learn about themselves, their relationships with others and their responsibilities within their school and wider community. We want children to develop the confidence and understanding to deal with everyday situations and the changes they experience as they grow.

Curriculum Aims

Our PSHE curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop an understanding of themselves, their feelings, strengths and individual characteristics.
• develop the knowledge and skills needed to build positive, respectful and healthy relationships.
• recognise and talk about a range of emotions and develop appropriate strategies for managing them.
• develop resilience and learn how to respond to challenges, change and setbacks.
• understand how to make healthy and safe choices and recognise situations where they may need help or support.
• understand the importance of personal boundaries, privacy and respect for themselves and others.
• recognise and respect similarities and differences between people, including different families, backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
• develop the confidence to communicate their thoughts and feelings, listen to others and resolve disagreements appropriately.
• understand who they can talk to when they are worried or need support.
• develop an age-appropriate understanding of relationships, growing and changing, and how to keep themselves safe.
• develop an understanding of money, choices and responsibility.
• understand that their behaviour and choices can affect other people and the wider community.

Progression of PSHE throughout the school

Early Years Foundation Stage

In N2 and Reception, children begin to develop the knowledge and skills that underpin their later PSHE learning. Through the Jigsaw programme, alongside everyday experiences and interactions, children learn about themselves, their feelings and their relationships with others. They develop an understanding of the importance of kindness, sharing, cooperation and taking turns, as well as learning how to manage their emotions and respond to the feelings of others.

Children develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles and begin to understand how to keep themselves safe. They learn about their bodies, personal hygiene and the importance of trusted adults. As they become more independent, they are encouraged to make choices, take responsibility for their actions and talk about things that may worry them.

Children will be taught to:

• recognise themselves as individuals and talk about their own interests, strengths and feelings.
• recognise and name some different emotions and begin to talk about how they feel.
• develop positive relationships with adults and other children.
• understand the importance of sharing, taking turns, listening and cooperating.
• begin to understand that other people have different feelings, needs and experiences.
• develop independence and take increasing responsibility for their own actions and belongings.
• understand simple ways to keep themselves healthy, including healthy eating, exercise, sleep and personal hygiene.
• learn about their bodies and begin to understand the importance of personal space and boundaries.
• recognise trusted adults and know that they can talk to them when they are worried or need help.
• begin to recognise safe and unsafe situations and understand simple ways to keep themselves safe.

Key stage 1

Pupils will build on their Early Years learning to develop a greater understanding of themselves, their emotions and their relationships with others. They will learn to recognise and describe a wider range of feelings and begin to use strategies to manage them. They will develop an understanding of what makes a positive friendship and how to treat others with kindness and respect.

Pupils will learn about healthy lifestyles, personal safety and the importance of making positive choices. They will develop an understanding of personal boundaries and begin to recognise situations where they may need support. They will also explore similarities and differences between people and develop an understanding that everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.

Pupils will be taught to:

• recognise and describe a range of feelings and begin to understand what may cause them.
• develop self-awareness and recognise their own strengths and achievements.
• understand the qualities of positive friendships and relationships.
• listen to others, cooperate and resolve simple disagreements.
• recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others and show respect for these differences.
• understand how everyday choices can affect their physical and mental health.
• understand basic principles of personal hygiene, healthy eating, exercise and sleep.
• understand personal boundaries and recognise situations that are safe or unsafe.
• identify trusted adults and know how to ask for help.
• develop an understanding of money, saving, spending and making choices.
• understand that their actions can affect other people and their environment.

Key stage 2

Pupils will build on their previous learning to develop a more detailed understanding of their emotions, relationships, health and responsibilities. They will develop strategies for managing emotions, dealing with challenges and maintaining positive mental health. They will consider how their behaviour and choices can affect themselves and others and develop greater independence in making decisions.

Pupils will develop their understanding of healthy and respectful relationships, personal boundaries and keeping themselves safe. They will learn how to recognise pressure and influences from others and how to respond appropriately. Through age-appropriate learning, they will develop their understanding of growing and changing, including the physical and emotional changes that take place during puberty.

Pupils will also develop their understanding of diversity, equality and respect. They will consider their responsibilities towards others and the wider community and develop an understanding of financial responsibility and the impact of their choices.

Pupils will be taught to:

• understand and manage a wider range of emotions and identify strategies that support their mental wellbeing.
• recognise their strengths and areas for development and develop resilience when faced with challenges.
• build and maintain healthy, respectful and supportive relationships.
• understand personal boundaries, privacy and the importance of respectful behaviour.
• recognise different forms of pressure and influence and develop strategies for making safe and responsible choices.
• understand how and when to seek help and support.
• develop an age-appropriate understanding of relationships, puberty and the physical and emotional changes associated with growing up.
• understand how to look after their physical health, including the importance of healthy choices and an active lifestyle.
• recognise and respect diversity and understand the importance of equality and fairness.
• develop an understanding of financial responsibility, including saving, spending and making informed choices.
• understand how their behaviour and choices can affect their school, community and wider environment.
• develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make informed and responsible choices as they become more independent.

Intent, Implementation and Impact

At Coleridge, we place great value on delivering a high-quality PSHE curriculum that not only meets academic standards but also fosters a strong sense of personal growth and development in every pupil. We believe that PSHE is essential for shaping well-rounded, empathetic, and resilient individuals who can contribute positively to society. Our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and reflection in students about their own behaviours, choices, and relationships. We aim to ensure that our pupils are equipped with the skills they need to navigate both the challenges of school life and the wider world.

Intent

The PSHE curriculum at Coleridge reflects our core school values which are embedded within our teaching of key themes such as Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, and Changing Me. Each theme helps children develop a deep understanding of themselves, their role in their community, and how they can contribute positively to the world. We want children to not only enjoy and engage in the PSHE curriculum but to leave Coleridge as confident, responsible, and compassionate individuals.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in PSHE, we implement a progressive curriculum that is carefully sequenced throughout the school. Each unit builds on prior learning, allowing students to deepen their understanding of key concepts as they move through the school. Lessons are structured to revisit and reinforce knowledge and skills from previous years, ensuring that pupils develop a strong foundation in personal and social skills.

We use the Jigsaw scheme of work, which provides a well-structured and cohesive approach to PSHE. This scheme aligns with the National Curriculum and focuses on the holistic development of children, allowing them to grow not only academically but also emotionally and socially. At Coleridge, we believe that every child should be empowered with a voice and the skills necessary to thrive in life. To achieve this, lessons are carefully planned to ensure that they are inclusive, engaging, and reflect the diverse experiences of all students.

Our PSHE curriculum is integral to the whole-school approach and is further reinforced through assemblies, school-wide initiatives, and the relationships that are built within the school and the wider community. We ensure that our teaching also supports our school’s Safeguarding and Equality Duties, aligns with the Government’s British Values agenda, and promotes the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of our pupils. By reflecting our school’s core values, PSHE lessons help children to develop empathy, self-awareness, and a strong moral compass.

Impact

The impact of our carefully structured PSHE curriculum is seen in the positive attitudes, behaviours, and interactions of our pupils. We strive to ensure that all children at Coleridge are not only equipped with the PSHE skills and knowledge needed to excel in the next phase of their education but also to become well-rounded, respectful, and resilient individuals who are prepared for life in the wider world.

Our goal is for students to leave Coleridge with a strong sense of self-worth, the ability to form positive relationships, and a deep understanding of how they can contribute to their communities. The values of respect, empathy, responsibility, and resilience underpin every aspect of our PSHE curriculum, ensuring that the knowledge and skills students gain are not only academically relevant but also meaningful in shaping them into compassionate and proactive members of society.

Cultural Capital

We are confident that PSHE lessons at Coleridge provide children with the knowledge, understanding and experiences they need to become well-informed and responsible members of society. Through the Jigsaw programme, children learn about themselves, their relationships with others and the wider world. They develop an understanding of different families, cultures, beliefs, backgrounds and experiences, helping them to recognise and respect diversity and consider different perspectives.

Our PSHE curriculum gives children opportunities to discuss issues that are relevant to their lives and the society in which they live. Children develop their understanding of health and wellbeing, relationships, safety, money, responsibility and citizenship, giving them knowledge that they can apply both within school and beyond. Lessons encourage children to listen to and learn from the experiences of others, ask questions and consider how their choices and actions can affect those around them.

Children are encouraged to develop their cultural capital through a range of experiences beyond the classroom. Visitors, assemblies, workshops and links with the wider community provide opportunities to learn from people with different experiences, backgrounds and areas of expertise. We also encourage children to discuss and apply their PSHE learning at home, allowing families to share experiences, values and knowledge and helping children to make meaningful connections between their learning and everyday life.

Progress Maps & Progression of Language

Concepts

The Jigsaw PSHE programme is built around a number of key concepts which are revisited throughout a child’s time at Coleridge Primary School. These concepts provide the foundations for PSHE learning and are developed progressively from the Early Years through to Key Stage 2.

Rather than teaching concepts as isolated topics, Jigsaw gives children opportunities to revisit important ideas in different contexts and at an increasingly appropriate level for their age. This allows children to build on prior learning, make connections and apply their understanding to situations in their own lives.

Key concepts developed through our PSHE curriculum include:

• Identity and self-awareness – understanding who we are, recognising our strengths and developing a positive sense of self.
• Emotions and mental wellbeing – recognising and expressing feelings, developing emotional literacy and supporting our mental wellbeing.
• Relationships – understanding friendships, families and wider relationships and developing respectful relationships.
• Respect and diversity – recognising and celebrating differences and developing respect for different people, families, cultures and experiences.
• Health and wellbeing – understanding how to look after our physical and mental health and make healthy choices.
• Safety and boundaries – understanding personal space, privacy, boundaries and how to seek help.
• Growing and changing – developing an age-appropriate understanding of physical and emotional changes, including puberty.
• Rights and responsibilities – understanding our rights, responsibilities and how our choices affect others.
• Citizenship and community – understanding our place within our school, local and wider communities.

Progression of Concepts

Concepts are introduced through familiar contexts in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 and then revisited and developed in greater depth throughout Key Stage 2. As children progress through the school, they develop a wider vocabulary and a deeper understanding of each concept, enabling them to make connections between different areas of PSHE and apply their learning to new situations.

Research Around the Curriculum

At Coleridge Primary School, we pride ourselves on our curriculum being research-informed. Our PSHE curriculum is based on established evidence about the importance of personal, social, emotional and health education, alongside current statutory guidance and research into effective practice.

The Department for Education (DfE) provides statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education. The revised guidance came into effect on 1 September 2026 and emphasises a well-sequenced, age- and stage-appropriate curriculum which covers all statutory content. It highlights the importance of engaging pupils, working transparently with parents and carers, using skilled teaching approaches and delivering RSHE as part of a wider whole-school approach to wellbeing and safeguarding. DfE – Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education: statutory guidance

DfE research into the implementation of RSHE provides evidence from more than 2,500 teachers, RSHE leads and school leaders, alongside case studies involving pupils and staff. The research considers curriculum development, teacher confidence, professional development, resources and pupils’ experiences. It provides useful evidence about how schools are developing and delivering statutory RSHE in practice.  DfE – Relationships and sex education: curriculum implementation research

Research highlighted by the PSHE Association demonstrates links between high-quality PSHE education and pupils’ wellbeing and experiences at school. Evidence suggests that pupils who report receiving good PSHE provision are more likely to have positive relationships with their peers and a stronger sense of belonging. The evidence also highlights the importance of teaching personal safety, health and wellbeing, and relationships through a planned and progressive curriculum.  PSHE Association – PSHE education, pupil wellbeing and safety at school

The PSHE Association recommends a progressive approach in which learning is revisited and developed over time. Effective PSHE education should be relevant, age-appropriate and focused on both knowledge and practical skills, enabling pupils to apply what they learn to real-life situations. This reflects our use of Jigsaw as a whole-school programme, with key concepts revisited and developed as children move through the school. PSHE Association – PSHE education: a review of evidence and effective practice

Examples of Planning

Useful Websites

Visits and Events

Alongside our Jigsaw PSHE lessons, children at Coleridge take part in a range of events, workshops and activities which enhance the curriculum and provide opportunities to apply their learning in real-life contexts. We also work closely with parents and carers to support children’s wellbeing and development beyond the classroom.

NSPCC – Talk PANTS

Children take part in age-appropriate Talk PANTS activities, helping them understand personal boundaries, recognise what is private and identify trusted adults they can talk to if something worries them. The NSPCC provides resources for children from the Early Years through to primary school.

Crucial Crew

Our older pupils take part in Crucial Crew, developing practical knowledge and skills around personal safety, responsibility, risk and making informed choices. The event provides opportunities for children to learn from professionals and apply their learning to realistic situations.

Children’s Mental Health Week

We take part in Children’s Mental Health Week each year, using the annual theme to provide additional opportunities for children to explore mental health, wellbeing, relationships and belonging. In 2026, the theme was ‘This is My Place’, focusing on the importance of belonging in our families, friendships, school and communities.

Research Around the Curriculum

We use current research, relevant events and issues in the wider world to support and extend our PSHE learning. This gives children opportunities to discuss topics that are relevant to their lives and communities and to develop their understanding beyond the classroom.

Big Talk Education

We work with Big Talk Education to provide additional age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education sessions. These complement our statutory RSE curriculum and include learning around relationships, growing and changing and puberty. The programme follows a progressive approach, building children’s knowledge as they move through primary school. Parents and carers are informed in advance of these sessions.

EYFS Parent Workshops

In the Early Years, we recognise the importance of working closely with families to support children’s development and wellbeing. We hold a number of workshops for parents and carers throughout the year, focusing on practical areas such as sleep, toilet training, routines, independence and supporting children’s emotional development. These sessions provide parents with information, practical strategies and an opportunity to share experiences and ask questions.

Together, these events and experiences help to bring PSHE learning to life and provide children and families with practical knowledge and support that they can use beyond school.