Relationships, Health and Sex Education
Relationships, Health and Sex Education
We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why, from September 2020, all primary age children will be taught Relationships and Health Education. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, this has been delayed until the Summer Term 2021.
These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated – these changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child.
The Department for Education guidance states what MUST be taught by the end of primary school. Health Education includes learning about ‘the changing adolescent body’ to equip children to understand and cope with puberty.
The National Curriculum for Science (which is also a compulsory subject) includes some learning that links in with Relationships and Health Education. This includes learning about correct names for the main external body parts, learning about the human body as it grows from birth to old age as well as reproduction in some plants and animals.
We have designed our curriculum to deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs background of our pupils.
Relationships Education
Relationships Education will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships, including with family, friends and online. Your child will be taught what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who can support them. In an age-appropriate way, your child’s school will cover how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect.
By the end of primary school, pupils will have been taught content on:
- families and people who care for me
- caring friendships
- respectful relationships
- online relationships
- being safe
You can find further detail by searching ‘relationships and health education’ on GOV.UK.
Health Education
Health Education aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise.
By the end of primary school, pupils will have been taught content on:
- mental wellbeing
- internet safety and harms
- physical health and fitness
- healthy eating
- facts and risks associated with drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- health and prevention
- basic first aid
- changing adolescent body
You can find further detail by searching ‘relationships and health education’ on GOV.UK.
Sex Education
We are defining Sex Education as Human Reproduction. This can be taught through either Science or the Sex and Relationships scheme of work. We follow ‘Jigsaw’ which supports us to deliver our statutory requirements. Your children will meet the knowledge, skills and concepts about puberty and human reproduction in a unit called “Changing Me”. This is a 6 week unit that is taught over the second half of the summer term. Each year group will be taught age appropriate content and learning is structured to build on previous learning.
The link below directs you to a document by Jigsaw designed for parents and carers. It gives more information on the content of the programmes and outlines what will be taught about puberty and human reproduction at each age point.
CLICK HERE for information on Jigsaw's Relationships, Health and Sex Education Scheme
Your rights as parents / carers
The important lessons you teach your child about healthy relationships, looking after themselves and staying safe, are respected and valued under this new curriculum. Teaching at school will complement and reinforce the lessons you teach your child as they grow up.
We would like parental opinions or questions on our curriculum as this will help us to decide how and when to cover the content of the statutory guidance. If you have questions or would like to offer your opinion, please contact our PSHE lead, Miss Gibson at Fiona.gibson@mowbrayprimary.northumberland.sch.uk
You cannot withdraw your child from Relationships Education, Health Education or Science as these are compulsory subjects.
We do teach about Sex Education as human reproduction. If you’d like to know more about this, we recommend speaking to your child’s teacher in the first instance about the content of the lessons and what will be taught and when. You may wish to also speak to Miss Gibson or Mrs Baldwin about the resources or content of the sessions. If, after speaking to relevant staff members, you do not want your child to take part in some or all of the lessons on Sex Education, you can ask that they are withdrawn. In Primary Schools, the head teacher must grant this request.
The science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction (but not human reproduction), which there is no right to withdraw from.