"Positive relationships form the cornerstone of pupils' optimistic outlook at Aston & Cote Church of England Primary School."
OFSTED 2018

At Aston & Cote Church of England Primary School, our PSHE and RSHE curriculum plays a central role in helping children to flourish both academically and personally. Guided by our school vision, "Aspiring to be the people God created us to be by growing the talents He gave us," we support pupils to develop the knowledge, skills, values and character needed to lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.

PSHE is taught throughout a child's time at Aston & Cote and is underpinned by our Christian vision and values. We encourage children to recognise their unique worth as individuals, show compassion and respect for others, and develop the confidence to make positive choices both now and in the future.

Our curriculum is informed by the Department for Education's statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (July 2025), ensuring that pupils receive age-appropriate, inclusive and evidence-based learning. Through this curriculum, children learn how to build positive relationships, keep themselves safe both offline and online, understand physical and mental health, develop emotional wellbeing, and become responsible, active citizens.

The curriculum covers a wide range of themes including:

• Physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing
• Healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, exercise, sleep and personal hygiene
• Dental health and self-care
• Keeping safe at home, online and in the community
• Road, rail, fire and water safety
• Respectful relationships, friendships and family life
• Online safety and digital citizenship
• Managing feelings and emotions
• Personal safety, boundaries and seeking help when needed
• Understanding growth and development
• Citizenship, democracy and life in modern Britain
• Respect, inclusion, equality and valuing diversity

We use the Kapow Primary PSHE and RSHE Scheme as the foundation for our planning and teaching. However, we recognise that every cohort of children is unique. Our curriculum is therefore carefully adapted to meet the needs, experiences and backgrounds of the children in our care, ensuring that learning is relevant, responsive and meaningful within our school community.

Through our PSHE curriculum, we aim to develop positive attitudes and values, nurture resilience and self-awareness, and equip pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions. We want Aston & Cote pupils to leave primary school as confident, compassionate and responsible young people who are ready to contribute positively to society.

Relationships and Health Education form a statutory part of the primary curriculum. As a school, we believe that effective relationships education helps children understand how to build healthy friendships, respect differences, recognise unsafe situations and seek support when needed. Age-appropriate aspects of sex education are also taught through the science curriculum and our wider RSHE programme, taking account of the age, maturity, understanding and backgrounds of our pupils.

In line with statutory guidance, parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from the non-statutory sex education elements of the curriculum. Further information can be found in the school's Relationships and Sex Education Policy.

Through PSHE and RSHE we aim to:

• Develop a strong moral purpose and understanding of Christian and British values.
• Foster confidence, resilience, reflection, individuality and character.
• Enable children to take responsibility for themselves and others.
• Prepare children for healthy, respectful relationships now and in later life.
• Promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Help children understand the importance of caring for their physical and mental health.
• Encourage children to recognise and manage risks, both online and offline.
• Develop respect for diversity, equality and inclusion.
• Support children in understanding and managing changes associated with growth and development.
• Equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to become informed, active and responsible citizens.