EPD Personal, Social and Health Education Curriculum

PSHE is an integrated programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE education develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. The PSHE programme makes a significant contribution to children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, their behaviour and safety and the school’s responsibility to promote children’s wellbeing. PSHE equips children with the knowledge, understanding, skills and strategies required to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. It encourages them to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, and positive learning and life choices. A critical component of PSHE is providing opportunities for children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future. PSHE contributes to personal development by helping children to build their confidence, resilience and self-esteem, and to identify and manage risk, make informed choices and understand what influences their decisions. It enables them to recognise, accept and shape their identities, to understand and accommodate difference and change, to manage emotions and to communicate constructively in a variety of settings. Developing an understanding of themselves, empathy and the ability to work with others helps them to form and maintain good relationships, develop essential life-long skills, and better enjoy and manage their lives.