Livingstone Primary School
Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education
At Livingstone Primary School, we see PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) as an essential part of our curriculum. It supports children as they grow, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need both in school and in later life. PSHCE is taught through weekly lessons, whole school assemblies and our everyday expectations for behaviour, respect and responsibility. We aim to create a safe, inclusive learning environment where children feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning about the world around them.
Across the school, positive behaviour and effort are recognised and celebrated. Children can earn smilies for good behaviour and good work, and each class chooses a Star of the Week to celebrate pupils who consistently demonstrate kindness, effort and positive attitudes.
Whole‑school assemblies take place throughout the week and support our PSHE curriculum in a number of ways. Children explore key values such as respect, kindness and responsibility, learn about important festivals and events in the community and the wider world, and develop their understanding of British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. These assemblies help children make meaningful connections between their learning and real‑life situations.
Our School Council also plays an important role in helping children understand the British Value of democracy. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their strengths and put themselves forward if they would like to represent their class. Each class votes for their councillors, who then attend regular meetings and share ideas on how to improve school life.
PSHCE is taught weekly as a timetabled lesson, although teachers may also deliver additional sessions when issues arise in school or in the wider world. This ensures children feel supported and informed. Our curriculum is built around three main themes taught from EYFS to Year 6: Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, and Living in the Wider World. Each half term, children explore a key question such as “What is bullying?” or “How can we look after each other and the world?” Lessons also include learning about British Values and follow the Tameside RSE scheme, which focuses on healthy relationships and understanding the changes that happen during puberty. Parents are always informed before any sensitive RSE content is taught.
Lessons take place in a familiar, supportive classroom environment and are taught by the class teacher or a teaching assistant who knows the children well. Pupils are encouraged to ask and answer questions, take part in discussions, use role play to explore different scenarios and reflect on how to respond to real‑life situations. Our aim is to help children feel confident, informed and ready to make positive choices, showing respect, responsibility and care for themselves and others.
The updated PSHE curriculum can be found at the bottom of this page.