‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’- 

Margaret Mead

Intent

At Runnymede St Edward’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to educating the whole child. Rooted in our Catholic ethos and guided by the Eight Essentials of Blessed Edmund Rice — Gospel Spirituality, Justice & Solidarity, Inclusive Community, Liberating Education, Excellence in Teaching & Learning, Nurturing Relationships, Pastoral Care and Global Awareness — our PSHE curriculum is designed to develop pupils spiritually, morally, socially and emotionally alongside their academic achievement.

Through the ’Jigsaw’ programme, we provide a coherent, progressive and inclusive curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. Our intent is that all pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to manage their wellbeing, build healthy relationships, keep themselves safe and contribute positively to society. We ensure that pupils understand their own dignity and worth, respect the dignity of others and recognise their responsibility within both local and global communities.

Implementation

PSHE is taught weekly through the structured and sequenced Jigsaw scheme, ensuring clear progression from EYFS through to Year 6. Learning is carefully mapped to build cumulatively on prior knowledge, enabling pupils to deepen understanding over time. Alongside this, we carefully plan and schedule themed weeks and opportunities to enrich learning which reflect the needs of our community. We plan for whole school themes such as Anti-Bullying, Black History Month, E-safety Day, Children's Mental Health Week etc.

Lessons provide safe, respectful spaces for discussion and reflection. Teachers use high-quality questioning, collaborative learning and mindful approaches to develop emotional literacy, resilience and self-regulation. Vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to secure understanding.

Our commitment to educating the whole child extends beyond the taught curriculum. All pupils have equitable access to staff-led after-school clubs, ensuring enrichment, leadership and personal development. These opportunities further strengthen teamwork, confidence, responsibility and a sense of belonging within our school community.

The Eight Essentials of Blessed Edmund Rice underpin both classroom practice and wider school life, ensuring PSHE is not taught in isolation but lived through our relationships, pastoral care and daily interactions.

Impact

The impact of our PSHE curriculum is evidenced in pupils who:

• Demonstrate strong emotional literacy and self-regulation
• Show respect, empathy and tolerance towards others
• Understand how to keep themselves safe, including online
• Articulate their learning using appropriate vocabulary
• Contribute positively to school life and the wider community

Pupils leave our school as confident, reflective and socially responsible individuals. They are well prepared for the next stage of education, equipped with the resilience, moral understanding and the interpersonal skills required to thrive.