Relationships & Sex Education

The Relationships Education, RSE, and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 have made Relationships Education compulsory in all primary schools. Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools and the content set out in guidance (below) provided by the Department for Education therefore focuses on Relationships Education.

Effective Relationships & Sex Education (RSE), and Health Education is crucial to developing and maintaining emotional and physical health. RSE is provided through the Personal, Social and Health Education Framework and is planned to ensure pupils receive their sex education in the wider context of relationships, and are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of adult life. We believe that the teaching of sex education should be complementary and supportive to the role of parents and should have regard to parents’ views on its content and presentation.

Our RSE programme is designed following consultation with parents, to meet the statutory requirements of DfE guidance (September 2019).  For pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 Sex Education is provided by class teachers with the support of health professionals in a way that encourages them to consider moral aspects and the value of family life. As a school we have a legal duty to ensure that children are protected from teaching and materials which are inappropriate, having regard to the age, religion and cultural background of our pupils. Parents are informed in writing prior to the teaching of Sex Education and are given the opportunity to see teaching materials to be used and receive explanations of the way in which it is proposed to use them in the classroom. Teachers are trained and appropriately supported, to be able to teach RSE with confidence.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of any Sex Education provided, but not from teaching of the biological aspects of human growth and reproduction, a statutory part of the National Curriculum for Science. If a parent wishes to withdraw their child, they should put their request in writing to the Headteacher - a reason for this decision is not necessary.

To read our school's policy for Relationships & Sex Education please visit our policy page here.