Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
What is RSHE?
RSHE is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. Through RSHE, children learn about relationships, diversity, respect, healthy lifestyles, safety, the body and how it changes, reproduction and birth in a sensitive and age-appropriate way. In the primary school we are building the foundations of skills and knowledge that will be developed further at secondary level.
Our key aim in providing RSHE throughout the school is to safeguard our pupils. During their time at this school children will learn key knowledge and skills to help keep them safe and prepare them for adult life.
Why RSHE is important in our school
RSHE helps pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. Relationships are fundamental to life both here at Seely and within the wider world. We want to help children to understand how to maintain happy and healthy relationships, as well as to understand the different relationships around them. The teaching of RSHE at Seely also encourages and enables children to become emotionally and physically healthy, and to understand their own bodies as they grow and change. It supports and promotes the development of good mental health and provides children with the tools to help seek support when they need it. RSHE helps children understand the importance of staying safe, both online and offline, and makes them aware of their rights, especially in relation to their bodies. As a school we play a key role in safeguarding our pupils and keeping children safe (in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020). In Year 6 children develop an understanding of reproduction and birth within the context of loving and caring relationships. We acknowledge that not all parents feel confident or comfortable talking to their children about aspects of RSHE, therefore our work in school ensures that all pupils have the information they need to keep safe and make positive, healthy choices.
Key Objectives
The key objectives of our RSHE programme are to:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of positive and healthy relationships and the importance of commitment
- Make pupils aware of their rights especially in relation to their bodies
- Enable the development of social and relationship skills and protective behaviours
- Prepare pupils for the physical and emotional changes of puberty
- Develop understanding of reproduction and birth within the context of loving and caring relationships
- Explore a range of attitudes, values and faith perspectives around aspects of relationships and sex
- Support pupils to use the internet safely and to recognise the benefits and risks that it brings
- Develop pupils’ skills around assessing risk and keeping safe
- Enable children to gain the skills and understanding to support the development of healthy bodies and minds
- Enable pupils to recognise and manage their emotions
- Provide pupils with the knowledge and skills to access appropriate support
The RSHE programme is based on the needs of pupils in the school with learning outcomes appropriate to their age, ability and level of maturity. RSHE will be firmly embedded within our broader curriculum areas, including Science and PE, in addition to more focused learning through RSHE sessions, circle-time and assemblies. Pupils will be helped to appreciate difference and to respect themselves and others.
Topics covered in RSHE include:
- Families and people who care for me
- Caring friendships
- Respectful relationships
- Online relationships
- Being safe
- Mental wellbeing
- Internet safety and harms
- Physical Health and fitness
- Healthy eating
- Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- Health and prevention
- Basic First Aid
- Changing adolescent body
At Seely we use planning from our SCARF PSHE scheme and the Christopher Winter Project. Overviews of what is covered in each year group are below.
Additionally, you can view our RSHE policy here.
There are also helpful guides to support parents and carers to have conversations with children at home.
Our SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) scheme of work allows us to develop the physical, emotional and social health resilience of our children. This encourages and allows individuals to thrive, achieve and grow.
The SCARF programme ensures that all aspects of PSHE and Citizenship are covered throughout school through age appropriate lessons and by addressing a range of topics, for example: anti bullying, managing risk, sex education, drug misuse, managing money and dealing with emotions. The programme also provides opportunities to develop Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development and British/Global Values.
SCARF is split into six units of work:
Me and My Relationships
Valuing Differences
Keeping myself safe
Rights and Responsibilities
Being my Best
Growing & Changes
