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Relationships, Health & Sex Education
Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RSE/RSHE)
RSE is taught in the summer term in ‘Relationships’. Whereas relationships education is taught in PSHE, the biological elements of RSE are taught in KS2 science lessons through the ‘Animals Including Humans’ science unit. RSE is adapted for SEND. Correct scientific terminology for anatomical body parts are used by all teaching staff during these lessons.
Since 2020, our RSE curriculum includes different families including same-sex relationships. Teaching styles and planning will provide suitable learning challenges, a response to diverse needs, a range of different activities and an attempt to overcome potential barriers to learning. Where identified, small group work will be carried out with children who have different needs in their social and emotional learning.
Right to Withdrawl:
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from statutory Relationships and Health Education lessons. Parents also cannot withdraw their children from the statutory National Science Curriculum. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory components of sex education (taught in year 5 and 6 only, see the blue-highlight lessons below) within Relationships Education.
Requests for withdrawal from these lessons should be put in writing and addressed to the headteacher. In the event of a child being withdrawn from a lesson, that child must stay in school and will be assigned to another class until that specific lesson is over.
If you withdraw your child from sex education lessons, the school cannot guarantee that your child will not hear about the content of lessons from other pupils e.g. on the playground, walking home from school. By withdrawing children from sex education lessons, they may seek the information from elsewhere e.g. friends, siblings, the internet. These sources of information are often incorrect and unreliable and can expose children to information which is not appropriate for their age.
RSE Curriculum Overview:
Year 3:
- Children will learn that in humans and animals lots of changes happen as they grow from babies to fully-grown (i.e. puppy to dog, calf to cow, baby to adult).
- Children will understand the names for male and female body parts and understand some of the changes that will occur as they grow older
- Children will learn about the PANTS rule (https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/ )
- Children will understand that babies grow inside a mother’s womb and get their nutrients to grow from the mother.
- Children will explain what things babies need in order to survive (food, shelter, clothing, care).
- Children will explore stereotypes and family roles
- Children will explore their thoughts, feelings and hopes for the new school year.
Year 4:
- Children will understand that their characteristics and traits come from their parents (i.e. eye colour, hair colour, skin colour)
- Children will understand the terms for internal and external body parts for male and female bodies and how bodies will change in puberty
- Children will learn about the changes that happen to females during puberty (menstruation)
- Children will understand how to manage conflict with friends
- Children will understand that some changes are out of their control (i.e. loss, changing family structures, etc.)
- Children will learn coping skills for dealing with change in their lives.
Year 5:
- Children will explore and understand self-esteem and body image
- Children will learn about physical and emotional changes for males and females in puberty
- Children will understand that a baby is made when a sperm and egg meet and that sometimes people have IVF in order to reproduce
- Children will explore what they are looking forward to when they become a teenager
- Children will explore their thoughts, feelings and hopes for the new school year
Year 6:
- Children will be aware of their self-image and body image
- Children will learn about the physical and emotional changes for males and females in puberty
- Children will learn about the importance of personal hygiene during puberty
- Children will understand how a baby develops from conception through the nine months of pregnancy.
- Children will explore how to develop and have a positive self-esteem
- Children will understand different types of relationships they may have as they grow older (i.e. friendships, boyfriend/girlfriend) and boundaries
- Children will explore things they are looking forward to about secondary school and worries they have
- Children will complete activities to support their transition to secondary school.
Further Information:
Please see the links below for further information on government guidance with regards to Relationships, Health and Sex Education.
