RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education)

As a part of your child’s educational experience at Clifton C of E Primary School, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education that gives children and young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.

Last academic year (new parents this was sent in September 2021), I informed you of the changes the Department for Education announced to relationships and sex education following nationwide consultation. These changes have now come into effect and all schools are required to comply with the updated requirements. The statutory guidance can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education

The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships.

Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up will give children and young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and help them take responsibility for their own well-being. Consequently, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), along with Health Education, will be statutory, and form part of the National Curriculum. This means that we have been reviewing our RSE curriculum and policy so we can be sure our RSE provision is appropriate for our pupils based on their:

Age
Physical and emotional maturity
Religious and cultural backgrounds
Special educational needs and disabilities

Here at Clifton, during Summer Term 2, all year groups, as part of their Jigsaw PSHE lessons, will be taught their RSHE unit of learning.

Here’s the Long Term plan for all year groups:

Does my child have to take part in RSHE?

All schools have a statutory duty to teach pupils the aspects of Relationship Education and Health Education and pupils cannot be withdrawn from these lessons. As we have made the decision to teach Sex Education as part of the ‘Changing Me’ Jigsaw PSHE unit, pupils may only be withdrawn from specific lessons relating to human reproduction e.g. conception and birth. Withdrawal from these sessions must be granted by Mrs Bernard following a discussion, with the submission of the Right to be excused from Sex Education within RSE withdrawal form. This form can be found on our school’s website.

Also on the school’s website is: