PSHE at St Joseph the Worker
Our PSHE curriculum nurtures children’s personal development, emotional wellbeing and understanding of the world around them. Through a carefully sequenced and progressive programme, pupils learn how to keep themselves healthy, safe and happy, while developing the knowledge, skills and values they need to flourish as individuals and as members of society. Our teaching follows the statutory Relationships Education and Health Education guidance and is enriched by the Kapow Primary scheme, ensuring high‑quality, inclusive and engaging PSHE lessons rooted in respect, compassion and Catholic Social Teaching.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, PSHE is taught through the areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Understanding the World. Although not taught as a standalone subject, children experience PSHE through daily routines, play, interactions and guided activities that help them understand themselves and others. Alongside continuous provision, PSHE is also delivered through regular carpet sessions, where children engage in structured discussions, stories and activities that build early emotional literacy and social skills.
Self‑Awareness: Recognising their own feelings, needs and preferences.
Managing Emotions: Learning strategies to express feelings appropriately and seek help when needed.
Building Relationships: Taking turns, sharing, cooperating and forming positive friendships.
Understanding Rules and Routines: Learning how to keep themselves safe and follow simple expectations.
Healthy Living: Exploring healthy eating, hygiene and physical activity.
Celebrating Diversity: Recognising similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Keeping Safe: Understanding safe and unsafe situations, including knowing who trusted adults are.
Carpet‑Based PSHE Sessions: Engaging in circle time, stories, role‑play and guided discussions that help children explore feelings, friendships, behaviour and wellbeing in a supportive group setting.
Dignity of the Human Person: Children learn that everyone is special, loved by God and deserving of kindness.
Community and Participation: Pupils begin to understand that they belong to a community and have a role within it.
These early experiences lay the foundations for key PSHE concepts such as emotional literacy, healthy relationships, safety, respect and personal responsibility.
In Key Stage 1, children begin to explore PSHE themes in a more structured way. Using the Kapow Primary scheme, pupils learn:
Relationships: Understanding friendships, kindness, cooperation and how to resolve simple conflicts.
Health and Wellbeing: Learning about healthy lifestyles, hygiene, physical activity and emotional wellbeing.
Safety: Recognising safe and unsafe situations, including basic first aid and knowing how to ask for help.
Growing and Changing: Understanding the human body, recognising feelings and learning about personal boundaries.
Living in the Wider World: Exploring rules, responsibilities, money, and how to care for the environment.
Respecting Differences: Learning about diversity, fairness and treating others with respect.
Solidarity: Children learn that we support one another and work together for the good of all.
The Common Good: Pupils explore how their actions can help make their classroom and community a better place.
Rights and Responsibilities: Children begin to understand that everyone has rights and that we must respect the rights of others.
In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of themselves, others and the wider world. Through the Kapow Primary scheme, they explore:
Healthy Relationships: Understanding trust, respect, consent, personal boundaries and managing conflict.
Emotional Wellbeing: Developing resilience, coping strategies and recognising the impact of thoughts and feelings.
Physical Health: Learning about nutrition, exercise, sleep, substances and how to make healthy choices.
Keeping Safe: Understanding risk, peer pressure, online safety, first aid and how to seek support.
Growing and Changing: Learning about puberty, body changes, self‑esteem and personal identity.
Living in the Wider World: Exploring media influence, money management, democracy, human rights and environmental responsibility.
Diversity and Inclusion: Understanding discrimination, equality and the importance of respecting all people.
Rights and Responsibilities: Pupils learn how to act responsibly, make ethical choices and stand up for what is right.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Children explore how their actions can support those in need locally and globally.
Stewardship: Pupils consider how to care for God’s creation through sustainable choices.
Global Solidarity: Through discussions and projects, pupils recognise their role in promoting justice and peace.
Knowledge‑Rich and Skills‑Based: Our curriculum ensures children develop both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to navigate life confidently—communicating, problem‑solving, managing emotions and making responsible choices.
Cross‑Curricular Links PSHE is woven throughout school life and often linked with RE, science, PE, computing, geography and English to deepen understanding and support holistic development.
Global Citizenship and Catholic Social Teaching: PSHE lessons promote compassion, respect and responsibility, helping pupils understand their role in building a fair, caring and just society.
Engaging and Inclusive: Lessons are enriched with high‑quality resources from Kapow Primary, real‑life scenarios, discussions, role‑play and opportunities for all pupils to succeed.
Through PSHE at St Joseph the Worker, we nurture children who are confident, compassionate and resilient. PSHE is not just a subject—it is the foundation of personal growth, wellbeing and moral development. Whether learning about friendships, managing emotions, staying safe or understanding the wider world, our pupils grow as thoughtful, responsible and caring individuals. Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, we equip them with the values and skills they need to make a positive difference in their community and beyond.