What does PSHE mean in school?

And is it the same as RSHE?

Quick summary 📝

1️⃣ PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education) helps children stay healthy, safe, and prepared for life and work

2️⃣ Primary PSHE focuses on friendships, emotional wellbeing, and safety, while secondary PSHE includes relationships, sexual health, and legal awareness

3️⃣ RSHE (Relationships, Sex, and Health Education) is a part of PSHE, with a specific focus on relationships and sexual health education

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PSHE, which stands for Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education, is a key part of the school curriculum in England and it informs much of luna's content. It helps children and young people stay healthy, safe, and ready for life and work in modern Britain. When done well, PSHE also helps students do their best academically.

What subjects are covered in PSHE?

PSHE covers a wide range of topics that are essential for the personal and social growth of students. The curriculum is designed to be age-appropriate and relevant to students at different stages.

Primary school (ages 5-11)

In primary school, PSHE education focuses on the basics of healthy, respectful relationships, both offline and online. The main topics include:

• Foundations of relationships: understanding positive relationships with family, friends, and peers
• Personal and social Development: learning values like kindness, respect, honesty, and consent
• Family diversity: recognising and respecting different family structures
• Emotional wellbeing: understanding emotions, mental health, and the role of friendships in emotional wellbeing
• Safety and Reporting Abuse: knowing how to recognise and report abuse, understand personal boundaries, and seek help

While sex education is not required in primary schools, teachers may address questions about sex and sexuality if they come up, ensuring students get safe and accurate information.

The government recognises in their own RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) guidelines that young people may be resorting to unsafe browsing to fulfil their curiosity if caregivers do not answer their questions appropriately.

Secondary School (ages 11+)

In secondary school, PSHE builds on what was learned in primary school and introduces more complex topics. The curriculum includes:

• Expanded relationship dynamics: exploring different types of relationships, including intimate relationships, friendships, and family dynamics
• Healthier relationship patterns: learning about healthy relationships, consent, conflict management, and recognising abusive behaviours
• Sexual education: comprehensive information about sexual health, contraception, reproductive choices, and sexual orientation
• Legal and social awareness: understanding the legal aspects of relationships, rights, responsibilities, and issues like gender equality, domestic abuse, online safety, and exploitation

What does RSHE stand for?

RSHE stands for Relationships, Sex, and Health Education. This term is often used alongside PSHE but focuses specifically on relationships and sex education. While PSHE covers a broader range of topics, RSHE zeroes in on relationships and sexual health.

So what is the difference between PSHE and RSHE?

While PSHE and RSHE cover similar areas, there are some key differences:

• PSHE: includes Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education. It covers a wide range of topics aimed at the overall development of students
• RSHE: focuses specifically on Relationships, Sex, and Health Education. RSHE is a part of PSHE, with a specific focus on relationships and sexual health

Hope this has given you a better understanding of these topics if your child is set to start learning about these in primary school.