RSHE
Relationship Education in primary schools should teach the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other peers and adults. We believe that children should learn about relationships as well as the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, human sexuality and sexual health in an age-appropriate way. This goes beyond learning about relationships, to include puberty, how a baby is conceived and born, body ownership, and safeguarding. Our Relationships and Sex Education resources help children and young people to be safe, healthy and happy, both as they grow, and in their future lives. These lessons help to meet safeguarding, and emotional wellbeing requirements, as well as ensuring that schools cover the requirements of the DfE RSHE guidance.
SCARF RSE-specific lessons are designed to cover key skills, attitudes and values children need to explore in order to develop healthy relationships with their peers. Children also learn how to keep themselves safe and to ask for help when they need it.
Learning Journey from Early Years to Year 6
Is Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory?
It’s compulsory for primary schools to teach Relationships Education and Health Education.
The Department for Education (DfE) also strongly encourage schools to teach Sex Education. Schools must consult parents in developing and reviewing their RSE policy. Schools should ensure that the policy meets the needs of pupils and parents and reflects the community they serve.
We offer a parent meeting in the Spring Term and encourage parents to come along, ask any questions and have a look at the resources we use. If you have any specific questions, please contact the school office.
Supporting Children at Home
The statutory guidance is clear in recognising that a parent/carer is a child’s primary educator in these matters. There are a many things you can do to support your child’s understanding and encourage them to ask questions. Here are some ways you can help support your child at home.
- If you feel it is time to talk to your child about growing up and the changes they are likely to experience it’s best to offer it in small chunks, rather than do it in one go, often known as ‘The Talk’. This gives children time to digest the new information and ask you further questions as they develop more understanding.
- If your child asks you questions try to stay calm, and not worry if you don’t know the answer. There are plenty of websites that you can use together to help you find the answers to their questions in a factual, honest, age appropriate way (see details below for resources on our website).
- Use everyday opportunities to bring up the topic; things you see on TV or hear on the radio can be great conversation starters to talk about topics such as relationships, sex and body image. Reading books with your child is also a great way of introducing topics and helping children to understand themselves, their bodies and the world around them.
- If you do have family names for genitals, ensure your child also knows their scientific names too. Nobody likes to think their child is at risk of abuse, but knowing the correct words for their genitals will help them report abuse if it did ever happen.
- By showing your child that you are comfortable with them asking you questions now, you are helping to develop a relationship with them where they can seek your advice and support in their adolescent years.
- Visit the specially created Coram Life Education SCARF webpage for more information including a list of books and websites that will support both you and your child along with some activities you to support their learning.
Please see below for further reading:
Relationship Education, Relations and Sex: Guides for Parents
Relationships, Sex and Health Education: Guides for parents
Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education: FAQs
Please view our RSHE Policy here.
