What is PSHE?

PSHE is a non-statutory subject, however all schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice. Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. PSHE can encompass many areas of study. Like the Government, we believe that these skills and knowledge are extremely important and also support children’s emotional, physical and mental well being. In our lessons children learn about how to look after themselves, about their feelings and emotions and managing money.

What is RSHE?

From September 2020, primary schools in England are required to teach Relationships and Health Education as compulsory subjects and the Department of Education strongly recommend that schools should also include age appropriate Sex Education.

In these lessons children learn about certain aspects of health such as healthy eating and about some harmful substances. They learn about how the body changes and how humans reproduce.

The Guide for Parents below provides some clear information about RSHE:

Parents Guide Understanding RSE In Primary Schools

Somali RSE Primary Schools Guide For Parents

Urdu RSE Primary Schools Guide For Parents

FAQ re RHSE

Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education – DfE Guidance

How we teach these subjects in school:

In our school, we use ‘The Jigsaw Programme’. This is a whole school approach and embodies a positive philosophy and creative teaching and learning activities to nurture children’s development as compassionate and well-rounded human beings.

Jigsaw Parents’ Guide – RSHE

Jigsaw Parents’ Guide – PSHE

Jigsaw LGBT Parent Leaflet

Our children are taught in mixed age classes and our curriculum reflects this.  Our Long Term Plan shows how these units are taught across the 2 year cycle.  Changing Me lessons are taught to specific year groups in the second half of the Summer Term.

Learning Intentions – PHSE and Social and Emotional Development

The DFE guidance clearly states the statutory requirements of what children must be taught by the end of Primary School.

Health Education is compulsory and includes learning about the changes in adolescence to equip children to understand and cope with puberty. Science is also a compulsory subject and includes learning the correct names for the main external body parts, learning about the human body as it grows from birth to old age and reproduction in some plants and animals including humans. Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from either of these subjects.

At our school we also teach Sex Education as part of the PHSE programme as recommended by the DFE. The Jigsaw programme includes lessons on all aspects of compulsory Relationships and Health Education and is designed to be sensitive and teach in a spiral, age appropriate way. We believe that this work is an important part of safeguarding children and will help them to stay safe and cope with puberty understanding why their bodies will change.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from PSHE lessons that cover Sex Education. If parents wish to do this then they need to complete the form at the end of the policy and submit to the Headteacher.

Further details are in the school policy below.