From September 2020, a new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education curriculum was introduced by the government. Relationships and Health Education was made mandatory for all pupils in primary schools since summer 2021, with primary schools having the option to teach non-mandatory aspects of sex education. We have been delivering our RSE curriculum as part of our PSHE curriculum since then.

New, statutory guidance was published by the DfE in July 2025, with schools having to introduce this by September 2026.

We have amended our PSHE and RSHE curriculum to include these changes and are required to consult with parents/carers regarding the changes to our curriculum and policy.

The aim of the curriculum is to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online.

The government advocates that high quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching of the subject can help prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life, and places an emphasis on keeping children safe.

Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, although we are encouraged by the DfE to determine if we choose to teach some of the aspects of sex education to meet the needs of our pupils. The DfE recommends that all primary schools should have a sex education programme tailored to the age and physical and emotional maturity of the pupils. Since our initial consultation in 2020, which considered the views of pupils, parents/carers and governors, we have been delivering our RSE curriculum, including non-statutory content in Year 6.

Our policy and appendices clearly set out the Relationships and Health Education specifics, Science specifics and sex education specifics, including the vocabulary progression map, that children will be taught. We have taken considerable time to ensure that it is in line with government expectations, follows RSE guidance, is age appropriate and that all content and vocabulary lend itself to keeping children safe and to living happy and healthy lives.

A copy of the policy is available for you to read in the school office and is available for download below.

Your views on the policy are welcomed and should be submitted to the school office by Friday 3rd July so they can be considered before the final policy document is published. We appreciate you may have comments about statutory curriculum content which we value, but where content is compulsory, we cannot make changes to these.

Thank you for your support with helping us to provide a curriculum that is right for your children.