SPHE

SPHE at Carysfort N.S.

At Carysfort National School, Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a cornerstone of our commitment to the holistic development of every child. SPHE equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they need to lead healthy, confident, and responsible lives, both now and in the future.

Our teaching of SPHE is informed by the Primary SPHE Curriculum (1999), the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice, and the Primary Curriculum Framework (2023), which identifies Wellbeing as a central Area of Learning. This framework emphasises the importance of supporting children’s social, emotional, and physical development, helping them to grow as resilient, empathetic, and active citizens.

The SPHE curriculum is structured around three key strands:

• Myself – supporting children to understand, respect, and care for themselves, their bodies, thoughts, and feelings.

• Myself and Others – encouraging the development of positive relationships, inclusion, and respect for diversity.

• Myself and the Wider World – fostering active citizenship, safety awareness, and a sense of responsibility for the environment and community.

At Carysfort, SPHE is enriched through a range of evidence-based programmes and initiatives, including Weaving Well-Being, Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), Stay Safe, FUSE, and A Lust for Life. These programmes provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to explore themes such as self-esteem, digital safety, respect, empathy, and emotional literacy.

SPHE also connects closely with Physical Education (PE) and Arts Education, forming part of the broader Wellbeing Area of Learning in the Primary Curriculum Framework. Together, these subjects support children’s physical health, creativity, self-expression, and emotional development, ensuring a balanced and holistic approach to wellbeing.

Through SPHE and the wider Wellbeing curriculum, we aim to ensure that every child in Carysfort feels safe, supported, and empowered to flourish. SPHE is not just a subject – it underpins the caring, inclusive, and respectful ethos of our school, and is central to nurturing happy, healthy, and resilient learners.