Relationships Education
As a part of your child’s educational experience at Fourfields 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, under-standing, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
The Department for Education has made changes to relationships education following nationwide consultation which came into effect from September 2020 and all schools are required to comply with the updated requirements. The statutory guidance can be found at:
The 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, from September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), along with Health Education, will be statutory, and form part of the National Curriculum.
We have reviewed 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
As part of this process, in November 2020, the school consulted with parents, staff and governors to help us inform our schools’ decisions on when and how certain content is covered.
The Consultation Questions were as follows:
- Would you like support at home, on how to speak to your child about relationship and sex?
- Are there any changes or additions that you think should be made to the RSE Policy?
- Are there any changes or additions that you think should be made to the RSE Curriculum Outline?
- Thinking about relationships and sex education, what do you believe is the most important subject area that should be taught for different age groups/key stages and why?
- Thinking about relationships and sex education, is there an area that you think should not be taught for different age groups/key stages and why?
This consultation enabled us to reach a general consensus and to make adjustments to our policy and curriculum based on this feedback.
There were 46 responses to the survey from parents.
100% of those who responded felt that no changes to the policy or curriculum guidelines were necessary but 11% felt they would need support in addressing some of the issues with their children.
Parents believe that the most important subject areas needing to be addressed were:
- Internet and online safety
- Respect for their own bodies and those of others.
- Equality and Diversity including issues about gender.
As a result we have already carried out a Facebook Live for parents about online safety and there is a dedicated space on our website with information for parents about how to address this issue with their chidlren. Chidlren are also taught about online safety through lessons and in assemblies at school.
Respect in relationships towards our bodies and each other is taught explicitly in the curriculum.
One of the main School Development Priorities for 2021-2022 is to develop our core values in what Equality and Diversity looks like at Fourfields. All our subject leaders are identifying where this is addressed in each curriculum area and we also follow the “No Outsiders” approach within our PSHE teaching.
The right to withdraw children from some lessons is explained in the FAQs which is on our website (see below).
To help you understand the curriculum requirements, please look at the information below which provides more detail.
Please find below:
· a summary of what all pupils are expected to know by the end of primary school,
· A powerpoint presentation for parents (also saved as a PDF) gives an overview of RSHE and the rationale behind the curriculum changes
· FAQ sheet,
· Our Policy for Relationships and Health Education
· DfE guidance that outlines statutory requirements.
| Letter to Parents | Presentation to parents | FAQ sheet |
| RHE Policy | DfE guide | End of Primary expectations |
