PSHE
Ofsted, June 2025This is a school that thrives on its sense of community, fostered by warm and supportive relationships.
At St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, PSHE is at the heart of our mission to develop happy, healthy, confident and responsible young people who live out the Gospel values in their daily lives. Through our PSHE curriculum, children learn to understand themselves, build positive relationships, respect others, and make informed decisions that enable them to flourish both now and in the future.
Our curriculum is rooted in our Catholic ethos and is closely linked to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, helping children to recognise their responsibilities to God, to one another and to the wider world.
Our Vision
As a Catholic school, we believe that every child is created in the image and likeness of God and is uniquely loved by Him. Through PSHE, we aim to nurture children who:
- Show compassion, kindness and respect for others.
- Understand the importance of human dignity.
- Develop resilience and emotional wellbeing.
- Make responsible choices and keep themselves safe.
- Become active citizens who contribute positively to society.
- Understand their role in caring for God's creation.
Our PSHE curriculum is underpinned by the Catholic Social Teaching principles of:
- Human Dignity
- Solidarity and the Common Good
- Participation
- Stewardship of Creation
- Preferential Option for the Poor
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Family and Community
Intent
At St Augustine's, our intention is to provide a high-quality PSHE curriculum which enables all children to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to become confident, resilient and compassionate members of society.
Our PSHE curriculum is designed to:
- Promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Develop children's self-awareness, confidence and resilience.
- Teach pupils how to build healthy, respectful relationships.
- Prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
- Encourage pupils to understand and live out British Values alongside Gospel Values.
- Develop children's understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Equip pupils with the knowledge needed to stay safe, including online safety.
- Inspire children to become active participants in their school, local and global communities.
Through our Catholic ethos, children learn that they are called to serve others and work towards a more just and compassionate world.
Implementation
PSHE is taught through a carefully planned, progressive curriculum which builds children's knowledge and skills from Reception to Year 6.
Our curriculum includes:
Relationships and Health Education
Children learn about:
- Respectful relationships
- Friendships
- Families
- Emotional wellbeing
- Physical health
- Keeping safe
- Online safety
Living in the Wider World
Children develop understanding of:
- Citizenship
- Community responsibility
- Diversity and inclusion
- Economic wellbeing
- Environmental responsibility
Catholic Life and Mission
Children explore:
- Gospel values
- Catholic Social Teaching
- Prayer and reflection
- Service to others
- Charitable action and fundraising
- Stewardship of creation
Teaching Approaches
We ensure that learning is:
- Inclusive and accessible to all pupils.
- Discussion-based and engaging.
- Linked to real-life experiences.
- Enhanced through assemblies, themed weeks and enrichment opportunities.
- Supported by pupil leadership opportunities such as School Council, Eco Council, Worship Leaders and House Captains.
The June 2025 Ofsted inspection recognised the importance of pupil voice within the school, noting that"Pupils talk with relish about the important roles they play to enhance their school community. Their ideas are taken seriously and they are proud that they get to make things happen."
Impact
The impact of our PSHE curriculum is demonstrated through pupils who:
- Feel safe, valued and respected.
- Display positive attitudes to learning and life.
- Demonstrate resilience and emotional maturity appropriate to their age.
- Build positive and respectful relationships.
- Understand how to keep themselves physically and emotionally healthy.
- Show empathy, compassion and concern for others.
- Actively contribute to the life of the school and wider community.
- Live out our Catholic values in their daily actions.
Our pupils understand that they can make a positive difference in the world around them. As recognised by Ofsted, pupils are empowered to take initiative, support others and contribute meaningfully to school life. The inspection highlighted examples including pupils organising litter-picking groups, running sign-language clubs and promoting kindness across the school community. [files.ofsted.gov.uk]
Through PSHE, children leave St Augustine's as confident, thoughtful and responsible young people, well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain, guided by faith, compassion and service.
PSHE in Action
At St Augustine's, PSHE learning is enriched through:
- Charity fundraising and social action projects
- Pupil leadership opportunities
- Anti-Bullying Week
- Children's Mental Health Week
- Safer Internet Day
- Forest School activities
- Collective Worship and reflection
- Community partnerships and local outreach
Together, these experiences help our children to become caring, respectful and active citizens who seek to make the world a better place through faith and action.