Why we Study Personal, Social and Health Education

At Enfield Academy, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) plays a fundamental role in enabling children to develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically and morally, in line with Enfield’s strategic vision. PSHE sits at the heart of our curriculum and underpins our key drivers of Ambition, Resilience and Collaboration.

PSHE provides pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, both now and in the future, helping them to become confident individuals with high aspirations who understand that success comes through effort and perseverance. Through PSHE, children learn how to stay healthy and safe, manage their emotions, build positive relationships and develop a strong sense of self‑worth.

In an ever‑changing world, PSHE helps pupils to recognise challenges they may face and equips them with strategies to deal with these effectively, supporting their mental health and wellbeing. The subject prepares pupils to become informed, responsible and active citizens, ready to contribute positively to modern Britain and the wider global community.

PSHE addresses key issues such as emotional health, identity, equality, diversity, healthy lifestyles and relationships. It plays a vital role in pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, promotes pupil wellbeing and safeguarding, and strengthens community cohesion. Our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) ensures children understand how to stay safe and develop healthy, respectful relationships, both now and in the future.

 

How we Teach Personal, Social and Health Education

At Enfield Academy, PSHE is delivered in a variety of ways to ensure high‑quality provision and meaningful learning experiences:

  • Regular, discrete and timetabled PSHE lessons
  • Cross‑curricular teaching where PSHE, SMSC and British Values are embedded within other subjects
  • Ad‑hoc lessons and discussions in response to current issues or pupils’ needs
  • Whole‑school, phase and key stage assemblies linked to PSHE themes
  • Planned assemblies and workshops led by internal staff and external visitors, such as emergency services and water safety specialists

We follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme, a progressive and age‑appropriate scheme of work organised into six half‑termly themes:

  • Autumn 1: Being Me in My World
  • Autumn 2: Differences 
  • Spring 1: Dreams and Goals
  • Spring 2: Healthy Me
  • Summer 1: Relationships
  • Summer 2: Changing Me 

Learning builds year on year, introducing new and more challenging concepts while meeting the developmental needs of all pupils. Elements of sex education are also taught through the science curriculum.

We take a positive, strengths‑based approach that focuses on what children can do to keep themselves and others healthy, safe and happy. Teachers promote a growth mindset, using language that praises effort, encourages resilience and supports collaboration. Opportunities for reflection enable pupils to recognise their progress and apply their learning across the curriculum and into their lives beyond school.

 

What is Special About Personal, Social and Health Education in Our School

At Enfield Academy, PSHE is embedded across the wider school culture and pastoral provision, ensuring that responsible choices become the easy choices. We work closely with families and the wider community to support pupil wellbeing and personal development.

We create a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment where children feel valued, build positive relationships with adults and peers, and where vulnerable pupils are identified and supported. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, challenge ideas, share their views and draw on their own experiences with confidence.

Children are given meaningful opportunities to make decisions, take responsibility and develop leadership skills, helping them to understand how their choices can impact themselves and others at a local, national and global level. Through PSHE, pupils develop a strong sense of social justice, moral responsibility and respect for diversity.

Whole‑school activities that support and enrich PSHE include:

  • NSPCC assemblies
  • Google Internet Safety assemblies
  • Red Nose Day and Children in Need fundraising
  • School Council elections
  • Annual pupil surveys
  • Sport Ambassador roles
  • Cyber Crew roles
  • Reading buddies
  • Supporting the Link to Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal
  • Commonwealth Week

Through our PSHE curriculum, children leave Enfield Academy as confident, resilient, respectful and responsible individuals, well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of later life.