Intent

At Dogsthorpe Academy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. We believe PSHE helps children and young people to stay healthy and safe, while preparing them to make the most of life and work. PSHE education also helps pupils to achieve their academic potential.

Since September 2020, Relationships Education and Health Education have been statutory in all primary schools under the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Dogsthorpe Academy delivers these subjects in accordance with the Department for Education's statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (2026).

The Department for Education published Statutory Guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education in June 2019 and this was updated in September 2026. We follow national guidance in this area and you can read our trust-wide policy here. 

PSHE education addresses both pupils’ current experiences and preparation for their future. The Programme of Study therefore provides a spiral curriculum to develop knowledge, skills and attributes, where prior learning is revisited, reinforced and extended year on year. This is grounded in the established evidence base for effective practice in PSHE education.

Our PSHE education offers both explicit and implicit learning opportunities and experiences which reflect pupils’ increasing independence and physical and social awareness, as they move through the primary phase. PSHE education helps pupils to manage the physical and emotional changes at puberty, introduces them to a wider world and enables them to make an active contribution to their communities.

View the DfE Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education (2026)