"At Batley Parish CE Primary Academy, we believe that high-quality PSHE and RSE teaching empowers every child to thrive, stay safe, and grow with confidence in an ever-changing world."

What is PSHE at Batley Parish CE Primary Academy?

At Batley Parish CE Primary Academy, we believe that PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is a vital part of helping every child grow into a healthy, independent, and kind young person, ready for life in modern Britain. Through our carefully planned and inclusive curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to stay safe, build positive relationships, and thrive both now and in the future.

Our PSHE lessons are built around five key themes: family and relationships, health and wellbeing, safety and the changing body, citizenship, and economic wellbeing, with an additional unit on identity in Year 6. We use a combination of real-life experiences, SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development, British Values and learning about the protected characteristics to help prepare children to be respectful and active members of a diverse society.

We follow the Kapow curriculum from Reception to Year 6, which offers a spiral approach — allowing children to revisit and deepen their learning each year. In Nursery, children follow the Early Years Development Matters framework, supported by the Jigsaw programme, covering themes such as being me, celebrating difference, and healthy relationships.

At the heart of our PSHE curriculum are our school drivers — community, hope and self — alongside our Christian values of hope, trust, forgiveness, love, community and respect.

How We Teach and Assess PSHE

Children’s PSHE learning is captured in special PSHE Scrapbooks, showcasing a range of activities, discussions, photographs and children's reflections. Sessions are carefully planned to meet statutory guidance, promote key values, and respond to the real-life needs of our school community.

In addition to our planned curriculum, each cohort benefits from responsive units and additional responsive lessons throughout the year. These are designed to meet the specific needs of all learners and respond to key topics from the news, local issues, or changes in the community. This ensures PSHE remains relevant, meaningful, and supportive of every child's personal development.

This responsive approach helps all children, including those with SEND, to feel safe, valued and prepared for the wider world.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at Batley Parish CE Primary Academy

As part of PSHE, children receive age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). Our RSE lessons are designed to equip children with essential knowledge in a sensitive, respectful and age-appropriate way.

In Year 6, pupils will learn about:

• Conception

• Pregnancy

• Birth

This content builds on their earlier learning and helps them prepare for their next stage of growing up.
Parents will always be informed in advance (via Parent Hub) when these sensitive topics are due to be taught. In line with Department for Education guidance, parents have the right to withdraw their child from specific non-statutory sex education lessons (those that go beyond the science curriculum content).

However, please note that statutory elements of health and relationships education — including learning about puberty, menstruation, and appropriate contact — cannot be withdrawn from.

We aim to work closely with families to ensure that learning is handled sensitively, openly, and with respect for individual family views and beliefs.