PSHE and Relationships Education

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

At Oake, Bradford and Nynehead C of E (VC) Primary School, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) supports children to grow into safe, healthy, respectful and confident individuals, rooted in our Christian vision and values.

RSHE is part of our wider PSHE curriculum and helps children understand:

• How to build positive relationships
• How to keep themselves safe
• How to look after their physical and mental wellbeing
• How their bodies change as they grow, in an age‑appropriate way

What is taught in RSHE?

Relationships Education (statutory)

All pupils learn:

• What makes a loving and supportive family
• How to develop healthy friendships
• How to recognise and respond to bullying
• The importance of kindness, respect and responsibility
• How to stay safe both offline and online

Parents cannot withdraw children from Relationships Education, as this is a legal requirement for all primary Schools.

Health Education (statutory)

Children are taught about:

• Mental health and wellbeing – emotions, resilience and seeking help
• Online safety – staying safe when using the internet and devices
• Healthy lifestyles – exercise, sleep and healthy eating
• Personal safety – recognising risk and knowing how to stay safe
• Basic first aid, hygiene and illness prevention

This learning helps pupils develop essential life skills to care for themselves and others.

Sex Education (non‑statutory in primary)

In the later years of primary school, we choose to teach age‑appropriate sex education to help children prepare for adolescence and the transition to secondary school.

This may include:

• Changes during puberty
• How babies are conceived and born, taught sensitively and factually
• Appropriate vocabulary for body parts, taught professionally and carefully

Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from non‑statutory sex education (but not from statutory science, Relationships or Health Education). We encourage parents to discuss any concerns with the Headteacher first.

How RSHE is taught

• RSHE is taught by trained staff as part of PSHE
• We use the SCARF programme (Coram Life Education)
• Lessons are carefully planned and age‑appropriate
• Ground rules are used to create a safe and respectful learning environment
• Content is inclusive and accessible for all pupils, including those with SEND

Our values and inclusion

As a Church of England school, RSHE is taught within a framework of love, dignity, respect and justice.
We:

• Respect different family backgrounds and beliefs
• Follow the Equality Act 2010
• Challenge all forms of bullying and discrimination
• Teach children to live well together, even when differences exist

Working with parents

We value working in partnership with parents. The school:

• Shares curriculum information and policies on the website
• Notifies parents before teaching sensitive topics
• Welcomes opportunities for discussion
• Allows parents to view resources on request

Parents play a vital role in supporting RSHE learning at home.

Further information

If you would like to discuss RSHE, view resources, or have any questions, please contact the school office. We are always happy to help.

INTENT

Our PSHE programme of study – SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) aims to equip our pupils with the knowledge, understanding, skills and strategies required to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. The topics support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide pupils with appropriate and essential safeguarding knowledge.

The SCARF programme of study is fully in line with the learning outcomes and core themes of the PSHE Association scheme of work. It covers all the required objectives and follows the three core areas of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. It also fulfils the requirements of the 2020 Statutory Relationship and Health Education which enables all pupils to build good, safe and healthy relationships now and in their future lives.

IMPLEMENTATION

At Oake Bradford and Nynehead C of E (VC) Primary School, we have a clear and comprehensive programme of study for PSHE – SCARF. It is taught in thematic units with a spiral approach, ensuring themes can be revisited and pupils can recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of PSHE education regularly at a depth that is appropriate for the age and stage of their education. There is an emphasis on providing opportunities for discussions through practical activities and recording children’s learning and ideas in whole class big books. In addition to the SCARF units we have a progression of additional skills and knowledge including areas such as Zones of Regulation (more information is available on the SEND page of our website).

IMPACT

The SCARF programme of study and additional units provides our school with an effective framework for pupils’ wellbeing. Pupils are enabled to develop the vocabulary, confidence and resilience to articulate their thoughts and feelings within an environment that encourage openness, trust and respect and know when and how they can seek the support of others.