RSE (Relationships and Sex Education)

Our RSE Curriculum

From September 2020, a new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education curriculum was introduced by the government. Relationships and Health Education will be mandatory for all pupils in primary schools from Summer 2021, with primary schools having the option to teach non-mandatory aspects of sex education. 

The aim of the curriculum is to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online safety. 

The government advocates that high quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching of the subject can help prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life, and places an emphasis on keeping children safe.

Sex Education Aspects of the RSE Curriculum 

Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, although we are encouraged by the DfE to determine if we choose to teach some of the aspects of sex education to meet the needs of our pupils. The DfE recommends that all primary schools should have a sex education programme tailored to the age and physical and emotional maturity of the pupils. Parents have the option to withdraw their child from the sex education elements of the RSE curriculum in Years 5 and 6. Parents are informed at the beginning of their child's Year 5 and 6 years when a meeting will be held so that parents can view the materials and prepare for any questions at home, well before teachers begin to teach the sex education elements of the curriculum. The teaching slides and materials are made available to parents after the parents meetings. 

Parent Consultation and our Policy

A consultation period was given to parents to obtain their views before the final policy was published in October, 2020. No parents came forward and raised concerns or questions about the planned delivery of our curriculum.

Our policy outlines what will be taught and when in each year group and is a useful guide for parents. Subject Leaders and class teachers hold detailed plans and skills and knowledge progression maps from which they plan from. Our curriculum is designed for our pupils and reflects the National Curriculum. 

Please see the Year Group Curriculum Maps, which outline what topics, themes and books will be taught in each year group.