Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education
As a part of your child’s education at Millfield Primary School, we promote personal well being and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme.
PSHE education is the curriculum subject that gives children the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential.
The government have made certain aspects of PSHE compulsory for schools to teach and as a result, we have designed a new curriculum for the children to follow.
We have given summaries of the key points below, but please read the curriculum teaching plan (available by clicking here) which shows the areas the children will be covering and the Relationships and Sex Education planning we will follow to teach puberty.
Good communication and opportunities for parents to understand and ask questions about the school’s approach to PSHE help increase confidence in the curriculum.
We would therefore always welcome your views as we develop and renew our PSHE and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education policies and curriculum.
Relationships and Sex Education
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an integral part of PSHE and as such, the teaching of puberty within primary school has become a statutory requirement. The government have stated clearly that teaching about puberty before children experience it is essential to ensure that pupils’ physical, emotional and learning needs are met and that they have the correct information about how to take care of their bodies and keep themselves safe. Teaching about puberty is also considered a key safeguarding issue by Ofsted.
With this in mind, we have developed a series of lessons across both key stages, to explore the physical and emotional aspects of how bodies change.
In Key Stage 1 we are planning to explore relationships and begin to look at the human life cycle.
These are the early lessons which will form our RSE curriculum and are the beginnings of understanding puberty which will be expanded on in Key Stage 2.
At this stage, no scientific vocabulary of body parts will be mentioned.
- Lessons in Year 1 will include pupils learning about the special people in our lives and how our bodies are beginning to change.
- Lessons in Year 2 will recap the learning undertaken in Year 1, but also begin to look at how boys and girls are different.
In Key Stage 2 we are planning to continue to explore, and build upon, relationships, which will include looking at how to strengthen and maintain healthy relationships.
- Lessons in Year 3 will cover friendships, in particular, what makes a good friend and how arguments and problems can be resolved.
- Lessons in Year 4 will recap the learning undertaken in Year 3, deepening the understanding of friendships.
- Lessons in Year 5 will begin to look at puberty. It will cover in more detail, how the bodies are changing, how we need to look after our bodies and how we can cope with the feelings and emotions that will arise during this time. We hope to introduce scientific vocabulary of body parts at this stage.
- Lessons in Year 6 will recap the work undertaken in Year 5 on puberty. They will also look further at aspects of relationships and discuss changes in our lives and becoming more independent, in preparation for secondary school.
Relationship Education
We live in a diverse community and diverse world and as such, it is our intent that the curriculum reflects this so our children are ready to understand and flourish to their full potential.
For example in the Year 4 curriculum, we are planning within relationships, to discuss which will include civil partnerships / same sex relationships.
In Year 5, we are planning to discuss terms such as prejudice, stereotype and discrimination and the correct use of terms such as gender identity.
The full government guidance regarding relationships education (Primary) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-education-primary
Relationships, sex and health education: guides for parents are available from the Department for Education by clicking here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-sex-and-health-education-guides-for-schools
These guides contain a range of excellent information including sections on your rights as parents in this aspect of the curriculum.
Year 5 and Year 6 - Lesson Plans - Puberty unit of work
Year 5 Lesson 1 - Time to change
Year 5 Lesson 2 - The menstrual cycle
Year 5 Lesson 3 - Personal hygiene
Year 5 Lesson 4 - Emotions and feelings
Year 5 Science Knowledge Organiser - Human Reproduction and Ageing
Year 6 Lesson 1 - Recap and review
Year 6 Lesson 2 - Change and becoming independent
Year 6 Lesson 3 - Positive and healthy relationships
Share Your Thoughts
The support of parents has been a vital component in the success of our school and it is essential for us to move forward with development and renewing of this vital aspect of our curriculum together.
Please feel free to give feedback on anything you have read and we will be happy to discuss any queries.
Please email any questions or queries to: headteacher@millfield.staffs.sch.uk
Kind regards,
Simon Kelly (Head teacher)
Martin Walker (PSHE Subject Lead)
