Supporting schools to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people
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Personal, Social, Health and Economic education

PSHE education is a planned, developmental programme of learning designed to help learners develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future.

PSHE education is central to helping pupils to stay healthy and safe and to equipping them with the personal and social skills to negotiate life's challenges, opportunities and risks.

PSHE education is a non-statutory subject although the National Curriculum Framework states that "All schools should make provision for personal, social health and economic education (PSHE), drawing on good practice."

PSHE education helps schools fulfil their statutory duties to provide a broad and balanced curriculum; offer health, sex and relationships education; promote SMSC as well as meet their responsibilities in relation to pupil wellbeing and safeguarding. Schools must publish details of their PSHE and RSHE education curriculum on their website.

There is evidence to suggest that the skills and attitudes acquired through PSHE education have a significant impact on pupils' academic achievement, employability and future life chances.

A description of PSHE education from the Department of Education can be found here

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

PSHE education includes the statutory elements of RSHE. 

In July 2025 the DfE published updated statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education and the government’s response to the public consultation. This updates the previous guidance published in 2019.

Schools are expected to implement the 2025 guidance in September 2026, while the 2019 guidance can still be used for teaching until August 2026. However, schools can start implementing the new guidance sooner if they wish and feel properly prepared.

Links to a range of PSHE and RSHE teaching resources can be found here

Useful external links

The PSHE Association

 

PSHE education in Wiltshire

Effective planning and delivery of PSHE education has been at the heart of the Wiltshire Healthy Schools Programme.

PSHE education forms one of the key themes of the Wiltshire Healthy Schools audit, which schools can use to evaluate and improve their school provision.

Wiltshire schools have been able to access a range of support for PSHE education, including central and in school training and regular online network meetings. 

Wiltshire schools are provided with regular opportunities to hear from national and local providers of PSHE support, as well as input from Public Health specialists to be able to better identify and address the needs of their pupils.  

Over recent years we have been pleased to see a significant development in the teaching of PSHE education in Wiltshire Schools, which has coincided with measurable improvements to children's health and wellbeing. One of the contributing factors for these improvements has been the commitment of Wiltshire teachers to this curriculum area. In the past a number of Wiltshire teachers have achieved local and national accreditation for their PSHE teaching, following local training and observed classroom practice.