PSHE and RSE

We believe that children are happiest and most successful when they have the knowledge and techniques they need to keep themselves healthy and safe.  

PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) education is a school curriculum subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. PSHE education helps pupils to stay healthy, safe and prepared for life – and work – in modern Britain. PSHE also helps pupils to achieve their academic potential.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic education also enables our pupils to develop into responsible individuals, family members and members of society. We teach PHSE discretely through PHSE lessons, through assemblies and through other curriculum areas such as religious education and science. 

At Portfield, we use the 1 decision PSHE to teach the majority of our curriculum. It covers a clearly mapped out range of topic areas, including statutory Health Education and Relationship & Sex Education (RSE). Please see our 'PSHE Curriculum Coverage' document by clicking here

Children learn through a series of video-based dilemmas which teach them about the consequences of making certain choices in different life situations. Each lesson also involves the children recording their new knowledge, thoughts and ideas in their 'workbook'.

This structured approach to the teaching of personal, health, social, economic and relationship education enables our children to be prepared for their future life in modern Britain.

Supporting Pupils to Flourish: The Five Ways to Wellbeing

At Portfield, we believe that mental wellness is the foundation of academic success and personal growth. To support this, we have adopted the Five Ways to Wellbeing - a research-based framework designed to help students develop the habits and resilience they need to thrive in the modern world.

Rather than being an "add-on," these principles are woven into the very fabric of our school life. They are explicitly taught through our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum and form the core themes of our whole-school assemblies.

How We Teach Wellbeing

We empower our pupils to take charge of their own mental health by exploring five key areas of action:

• Connect: We explore the importance of healthy relationships and digital citizenship, teaching students how to build meaningful face-to-face and online connections.

• Be Active: We celebrate physical achievement in all forms, highlighting the link between a healthy body and a healthy mind. We wear sports kit every day so that we are always ready to be active. 

• Take Notice: We teach mindfulness techniques to help pupils stay present, manage assessment stress and appreciate the world around them.

• Keep Learning: We encourage being "inquisitive", the fostering of a growth mindset and a lifelong love of discovery.

• Give: We explore the concept of "Social Action" through our topics, encouraging pupils to contribute to the school and wider community through volunteering, fundraising, raising awareness and small acts of kindness.