PSHE at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Leyland

Intent

At St Anne's, our PSHE curriculum is rooted in the belief that every child is a unique and valued individual, made in the image of God and deserving of a life filled with purpose, compassion and responsibility. We aim to equip all pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to become confident, healthy, respectful and active members of society.

Through the CUSP PSHE curriculum, and in line with our Catholic values, we provide an ambitious and evidence-informed programme that enables children to develop emotional literacy, resilience, self-regulation and positive relationships. Pupils are taught to understand themselves and others, recognise and manage risks, make informed choices, and contribute positively to their communities. Our curriculum supports children in becoming ready for life by developing the knowledge, language and skills required to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the modern world.

Implementation

At St Anne's, PSHE is a whole-school commitment, delivered through high-quality teaching and lived daily through the behaviour, attitudes and values promoted across our school community. All staff act as positive role models, demonstrating kindness, respect, responsibility and compassion.

PSHE is taught through the CUSP curriculum, which is built around six core areas of learning that are revisited and developed throughout children's primary education:

• Ready to Learn
• Friends and Family
• My Life
• Respectful Relationships
• Being Safe
• Keeping Healthy

This carefully sequenced curriculum ensures that key concepts are revisited over time, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding and apply their learning with increasing confidence and maturity.

Lessons are structured using the CUSP Six Phases of Learning: Connect, Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply and Challenge. Through explicit teaching, guided practice, oracy activities and purposeful discussion, pupils develop both knowledge and the ability to apply their learning to real-life situations. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on vocabulary development, enabling children to communicate their thoughts, feelings and understanding with increasing accuracy and confidence.  

The CUSP Ready to Learn approach is embedded throughout the curriculum, supporting pupils' motivation, metacognition and self-regulation. Through structured routines, deliberate practice and reflection, children develop the skills needed to engage successfully with learning and manage themselves effectively.  

Learning is recorded through floor books, pupil discussion and teacher observations, providing evidence of children's growing understanding and enabling teachers to monitor progression. Opportunities to celebrate kindness, service and active citizenship are woven throughout school life, reinforcing our Catholic mission and values.

Impact

The impact of our PSHE curriculum is seen in the confident, articulate and reflective pupils who leave St Anne's equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in modern Britain and beyond.

Pupils demonstrate increasing confidence in discussing their thoughts, feelings and experiences using appropriate vocabulary. They show growing resilience, self-awareness and self-regulation, applying the strategies they have learned to overcome challenges and manage their emotions effectively.

Children are able to build and maintain positive relationships, show empathy towards others, recognise risk, make informed decisions and seek help when needed. Through regular opportunities for discussion, reasoning and reflection, pupils develop the confidence to express their views respectfully while considering the perspectives of others.  

Assessment is evident not only through classroom dialogue and learning outcomes but also through pupils' behaviour, interactions and choices across the wider school community. Their conduct during lessons, playtimes, collective worship and community engagement reflects the personal, social and moral values fostered through the curriculum.  

Above all, PSHE at St Anne's enables children to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually, growing into compassionate, responsible and confident individuals who are prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in the wider world.