Christchurch Infant School

PSHE

At our school, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a vital part of our whole-school approach to nurturing happy, healthy, and confident children. Using the Jigsaw programme from EYFS through to Year 2, we provide a carefully structured and age-appropriate curriculum that supports children’s emotional literacy, resilience, and social skills. Through engaging stories, songs, games, and discussions, children learn to understand themselves and others, celebrate differences, build friendships, and develop strategies for staying safe and healthy. Our intent is to create a safe and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, heard, and empowered to achieve, belong and thrive; both in school and beyond.

Sex and Relationships Education

In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), the focus of RSE is on building the foundations of healthy relationships, understanding feelings, and developing respect for themselves and others. All teaching is carefully planned to be appropriate to the age and stage of the children and is delivered in a safe, supportive environment. 

Through the Jigsaw programme, pupils in Year 1 and Year 2 will:

  • Learn about different types of families and caring relationships
  • Understand the importance of friendship, kindness, sharing and cooperation
  • Recognise and manage their feelings and emotions
  • Develop an awareness of personal boundaries and the concept of privacy
  • Learn how to keep themselves safe, including knowing who they can trust and talk to if they feel worried
  • Begin to understand that boys’ and girls’ bodies are different, using correct but age-appropriate terminology (for example, naming basic body parts)

In Year 1 and Year 2, sex education is not taught explicitly. The focus remains on relationships, body awareness, and personal safety. Any references to how bodies change as children grow are handled sensitively and in a way that is appropriate to the children’s age.

We recognise that parents and carers play a key role in children’s understanding of relationships. We aim to work in partnership by:

  • Keeping parents informed about the curriculum
  • Providing opportunities to view materials if requested
  • Encouraging open communication between home and school

It is important to note that our SRE programme is embedded within the school’s values framework and that we consider it vital to do this work in partnership with parents and carers. We are mindful that parents/carers have the legal right to withdraw their children from the Sex and Relationships Education provided at school, except for those parts included in statutory National Curriculum for Science. Those parents/carers wishing to exercise this right are invited in to see the SRE Co-ordinator, who will explore any concerns and discuss any impact that withdrawal may have on the child. 

Further details of the policy for Sex and Relationships Education are available from the school office.

 

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