PSHRE

PSHRE at Cribden House helps pupils understand themselves, form positive relationships and develop the personal skills they need for happy, healthy and safe lives. The curriculum is nurturing, practical and highly personalised, supporting children to communicate feelings, make choices, interact positively with others and become increasingly confident and independent.

Well-being sits at the heart of this subject. As a myHappyminds accredited school, we weave emotional literacy, self-esteem and resilience into everyday routines. Staff model emotional regulation and provide pupils with strategies to understand their feelings, calm themselves and cope with challenges. Total Communication—Makaton, PECS, visual symbols, objects of reference and social stories—ensures every child can access and express PSHRE learning at a level that works for them.

Being Pathway

On the Being Pathway, PSHRE sits within the PSED strand of the Being Curriculum, supporting early social and emotional development. Learning focuses on helping children feel safe, connected and able to interact with the people around them. Through sensory play, nurture-based routines and positive engagement with trusted adults, pupils learn to take turns, share space, communicate needs, recognise simple emotions and begin to build friendships.

Staff use modelling, emotional coaching and visuals to help children understand and express their feelings. Independence is promoted gently through daily routines such as handwashing, dressing and snack times. Progress is captured through observations, photographs and Tapestry, with achievements celebrated and linked closely to EHCP outcomes.

Doing Pathway

On the Doing Pathway, PSHRE is taught through the PSED section of the Doing Curriculum, delivered across five strands: Personal Development, Social Development, Relationship Development, Emotional Development and Health Development. Learning is practical and rooted in real-life experiences that help children build confidence, independence and emotional security.

Pupils learn to communicate needs, share, take turns, participate in group activities and develop friendships. They are supported to recognise feelings and use appropriate strategies to manage them, such as asking for help, using visuals to communicate emotions or taking a sensory break. Independence in self-care is developed through dressing, hygiene, eating, cooking and other daily routines.

Children also learn how to stay safe—understanding personal space, safe adults, boundaries, road safety and basic online safety. Time in the community, outdoor learning and structured play experiences allow pupils to practise these skills in meaningful contexts. Learning is clearly sequenced across the Doing Curriculum ranges so that every step of progress is recognised and celebrated.

Thinking Pathway

On the Thinking Pathway, pupils learn through the Jigsaw PSHE scheme, adapted for the needs of learners with SEND. Lessons are structured and thematic, covering emotional well-being, friendships, diversity, safety, healthy choices and growing up. Pupils explore their feelings, discuss how to solve problems with others, learn about personal boundaries and begin to understand the changes that happen during puberty in upper Key Stage 2.

Teaching is supported with visuals, role play, social stories and practical activities so that concepts remain concrete and accessible. Pupils are encouraged to express their ideas, reflect on their actions and practise skills that help them manage relationships and stay safe.

Assessment on this pathway includes teacher observation, discussion, written or practical activities and evidence linked to the Jigsaw progression framework.

Across all three pathways, PSHRE at Cribden House:

builds emotional understanding and confidence
strengthens relationships and communication
promotes health, independence and personal safety
teaches pupils how to express feelings and ask for help
celebrates every small step of social and emotional growth

Through PSHRE, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and self-belief they need to navigate the world around them, form positive relationships and enjoy a healthy, confident future.