Long Itchington CE Academy – Key Stage 1 & 2

At Long Itchington CE Academy, our PHSE and RSE curriculum is a vital part of nurturing well-rounded, confident, and compassionate pupils who live out our Christian values and the school’s vision: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” (Colossians 3:23). We believe that personal, social, health, and relationship education is essential in equipping pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to thrive both in school and in life beyond. Through the SCARF scheme, our curriculum fosters a purposeful learning environment that supports every pupil to understand themselves, respect others, and make positive choices, enabling them to flourish as individuals and responsible members of our community.

Key Aims
Our PHSE/RSE curriculum aims to:

• Develop pupils’ self-awareness, emotional resilience, and positive mental health in a supportive, inclusive setting.
• Promote respectful relationships rooted in kindness, empathy, and understanding of diversity, reflecting the Christian ethos and British values.
• Equip pupils with the knowledge to make safe and healthy choices, understanding their rights and responsibilities.
• Foster a sense of responsibility and aspiration, encouraging pupils to contribute positively to our school, local community, and the wider world.
• Support pupils in developing learning behaviours that enhance their motivation and readiness for future challenges.

Content and Skills
Pupils will gain a secure foundation in key concepts such as identity, emotions, relationships, health, and wellbeing. They will learn to:

• Recognise and manage their feelings, developing strategies to maintain positive mental health.
• Understand the importance of respect, consent, and healthy friendships, including age-appropriate knowledge about body awareness and personal safety.
• Make informed decisions about their physical health, hygiene, and lifestyle choices.
• Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and embrace diversity with an open mind.
• Reflect on their values and how these shape their actions, connecting closely with the school’s Christian principles.

Progression
Learning is carefully sequenced across Key Stages 1 and 2 to build increasingly complex mental models of self and society. Early Key Stage 1 focuses on self-awareness, basic emotions, and friendships, while Key Stage 2 deepens understanding of relationships, emotional wellbeing, and personal responsibility. The curriculum revisits core themes regularly, using a range of examples and scenarios to consolidate learning and promote fluency in key concepts and vocabulary. This progression ensures that pupils are ready for the more detailed and sensitive aspects of RSE in later education, with confidence and respect at the heart of their development.

Wider Impact
Our PHSE/RSE curriculum contributes significantly to pupils’ personal development and wellbeing, supporting the whole-child approach central to our school’s ethos. By embedding consistent behaviour expectations and promoting positive learning behaviours, it underpins the school’s improvement priorities related to aspiration, inclusion, and community engagement. Pupils develop the skills to navigate challenges, build healthy relationships, and understand their role within society. This prepares them not only for academic success but also for their future as active, respectful citizens who embody the values of kindness, responsibility, and perseverance in all aspects of life.