Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) at Upwell Academy

At Upwell Academy, our intent is to deliver a high-quality PSHE curriculum that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in modern society.

We aim to:

• Promote personal development, resilience, and positive decision-making.
• Ensure pupils understand relationships, safety, and the law, fostering respect and responsibility.
• Reduce risk-taking behaviours and prevent youth offending through proactive education.
• Support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to navigate challenges confidently.
• Embed safeguarding principles and trauma-informed practice across all lessons.

Implementation

We implement PSHE using Pol-Ed, an evidence-based programme developed by West Yorkshire Police in collaboration with PSHE experts. Our approach includes:

• Embedding Pol-Ed lessons within the PSHE curriculum from EYFS to KS2, ensuring progression across key stages.
• Covering three core umbrella topics—Relationships, Keeping Safe, and Understanding the Law—with a fourth topic, Wellbeing, being introduced.
• Using enquiry-based lessons mapped to PSHE Association objectives and statutory RSHE requirements.
• Incorporating reflection and signposting slides in every lesson to help pupils process learning and access support.
• Providing Pol-Ed Passports to develop eight key life skills and values, supporting personal growth and resilience.
• Contextualising learning using local crime data to address emerging issues and safeguard pupils effectively.
• Offering staff CPD and resources via the Pol-Ed platform, ensuring consistency and quality of delivery.
• Engaging parents through promoting home-school partnership in safeguarding and wellbeing.

Impact

The impact of our PSHE curriculum will be evident through:

• Pupils demonstrating confidence, resilience, and informed decision-making in real-life situations.
• Improved understanding of the law, crime prevention, and personal safety, reducing risk-taking behaviours.
• Positive attitudes towards relationships, diversity, and community responsibility.
• Evidence of progression in PSHE knowledge and skills, tracked through Pol-Ed Passports and lesson outcomes.
• Strong contribution to safeguarding and personal development, supporting statutory requirements and Ofsted expectations.
• Long-term benefits for pupils and the wider community, including safer environments and reduced youth offending.

Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE)

Information about the Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) elements of our PSHE curriculum can be found here: