PSHRE at Gillas Lane
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Subject Overview and Intent Statement
At Gillas Lane Primary Academy, our overarching aim is to improve the life chances of all children by providing a caring, positive and stimulating environment where every pupil feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their very best.
We are committed to developing well-rounded, confident and responsible individuals who aspire to reach their full potential, both academically and personally. Our curriculum is carefully designed to nurture the whole child and is underpinned by our three core curriculum drivers: Raising Aspirations, Rich Vocabulary, and Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Personal, Social, Health, Relationships and Economic (PSHRE) education plays a vital role in achieving this aim. At Gillas Lane, we believe that children’s personal, social, emotional and mental health development is fundamental to their success in school and in later life. Through our PSHRE curriculum, pupils are supported to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, members of their community and responsible citizens.
Intent
Our intent is to deliver a high-quality PSHRE curriculum that equips all pupils with the understanding, skills and confidence to manage life’s challenges and opportunities, both now and in the future.
We aim to:
- Support children to develop a positive sense of self, strong self-esteem and emotional literacy.
- Enable pupils to build resilience, empathy and healthy relationships.
- Promote mental health and wellbeing, helping children recognise emotions and develop strategies to manage them.
- Prepare pupils for life in modern Britain by fostering respect, responsibility and aspiration.
- Provide opportunities for children to develop a rich personal vocabulary, enabling them to articulate thoughts, feelings and experiences confidently.
Our PSHE curriculum is inclusive and ambitious, reflecting the needs of our children and community, while ensuring progression across all year groups.
Implementation
PSHE is taught through a spiral curriculum, ensuring key themes and skills are revisited and built upon as children move through the school.
We deliver PSHE by:
- Using a structured, progressive scheme of learning aligned to national guidance, covering a range of key themes.
- Providing dedicated PSHRE lessons that create a safe, respectful and supportive environment for discussion and reflection.
- Integrating PSHRE across the wider curriculum and school life, including assemblies, themed days and enrichment opportunities.
- Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing through explicit teaching, emotional check-ins and consistent pastoral support.
- Developing pupils’ language and vocabulary so they can confidently express feelings, opinions and concerns.
- Ensuring staff are trained and confident in delivering sensitive topics with care and consistency.
Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for every child.
Impact
As a result of our PSHRE curriculum, pupils at Gillas Lane:
- Demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and personal development.
- Show increased confidence, resilience and emotional awareness.
- Are able to form and maintain healthy, respectful relationships.
- Have a growing understanding of how to look after their mental and physical wellbeing.
- Are better prepared to make safe, informed choices and navigate challenges within and beyond school.
- Use a wider and more precise vocabulary to articulate thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Overall, our PSHRE curriculum contributes significantly to children feeling safe, supported and confident, enabling them to engage positively with learning and develop the skills needed to achieve long-term success.
Long Term Plan
Our Long Term Plan is bespoke to Gillas Lane; we know our children and families well.
PSHE Progressive Milestones in Disciplinary Learning
Our PSHE Milestones contain the disciplinary knowledge needed to understand key concepts in personal, social, health, and emotional development. Our mid-term planning specifies the substantive knowledge children will learn.
In PSHRE, we are learning to think like a responsible citizen...
Feelings / Health & Wellbeing
Substantive knowledge helps pupils recognise emotions, understand mental and physical wellbeing, and learn ways to stay healthy. Disciplinary knowledge develops pupils’ ability to talk about feelings, reflect on experiences, and use strategies to cope with challenges and seek support when needed.
School Rules & Routines
Pupils learn why rules exist, what the expectations are, and how rules help keep everyone safe and included. Disciplinary knowledge allows pupils to follow rules, make positive choices, and understand the consequences of their actions.
Family & Relationships
Substantive knowledge includes learning about different types of families, friendships and relationships, and the importance of respect and care. Disciplinary knowledge supports skills such as listening, empathy, effective communication and resolving disagreements positively.
Valuing Differences
Pupils learn that people are different and that differences should be respected and valued. Through disciplinary knowledge, pupils learn to challenge stereotypes, show respect, and behave inclusively towards others.
Safety & Changing Body / First Aid
Substantive knowledge covers personal safety, understanding body changes, and basic first aid. Disciplinary knowledge helps pupils assess risks, make safe decisions, and respond calmly and appropriately in emergencies.
Citizenship
Pupils learn about rights, responsibilities and how communities work. Disciplinary knowledge encourages participation, cooperation, and expressing opinions respectfully while understanding different viewpoints.
Economic Wellbeing
Substantive knowledge includes understanding money, spending, saving and making simple financial choices. Disciplinary knowledge develops budgeting skills, problem-solving, and the ability to evaluate choices and their consequences.
PSHRE in our Early Years...
