Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education

As a maintained primary school, we must provide relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education to all pupils under section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

We are not required to provide sex education, but we do need to teach the elements of sex education contained in the science curriculum.

In teaching relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education, we must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state, as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996.

We also have regard to the legal duties set out in Sections 404 to 407 of the Education Act 1996, as well as Part 6, Chapter 1 of the Equality Act 2010. In addition, we consider the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), as outlined in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, which requires public bodies to give due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster positive relations between different groups when carrying out their activities.

At Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, we teach relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education as set out in the policy below.

We believe that working in partnership with parents and carers is essential, and we welcome any questions about our relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education curriculum.

Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education are taught as part of our Life Curriculum. These lessons help pupils develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to build positive relationships, make informed choices and look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

Our curriculum is carefully planned to be age-appropriate, inclusive and in line with statutory guidance. It encourages pupils to respect themselves and others, stay safe, and develop the confidence to make healthy, responsible decisions as they grow.

We ensure that any agency we work with, and any materials used, are accurate, age- and stage-appropriate, unbiased, and in line with our legal duties regarding political impartiality. We make appropriate checks and engage with external agencies to ensure that their approach to teaching about relationships and sex education and health education is balanced and that the resources they intend to use are suitable for pupils’ ages and developmental stages. All materials comply with our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education Policy, the Teachers’ Standards, the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Education Act 1996.

We only work with external agencies where we have full confidence in the agency, its approach, and the resources it uses. We ensure that any speakers and resources meet the intended outcomes of the relevant part of the curriculum. We review any case-study materials and seek feedback from others the agency has worked with. We are clear about what external speakers are going to say and their position on the issues to be discussed, and we ask to see any materials in advance. We know the named individuals who will attend and follow our usual safeguarding procedures. We carry out a basic online search and address anything that may raise concerns for us or for parents and carers. We check the agency’s protocol for taking photographs or using any personal data obtained during sessions.

We remind teachers that they can refuse or, in extreme cases, stop a session, and we ensure that a teacher is present in the room during any sessions with external speakers. We inform all external organisations that the school is legally obliged to share all content with parents and carers, and we share all external materials accordingly.

Under no circumstances do we work with external agencies that take or promote extreme political positions. We do not use materials produced by such agencies, even if the material itself is not extreme, and we do not work with agencies that do not allow their materials to be shared with parents and carers.

At Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, we use Pol-Ed, a PSHE and citizenship education programme that provides high-quality lessons, assemblies and resources. Developed by PSHE specialists and supported by police expertise, the programme focuses on four key areas:

• Relationships
• Keeping safe
• Understanding the law
• Wellbeing

The content reflects topics where the police have particular credibility and expertise, ensuring that learning is relevant and grounded in real-life context. It includes important issues such as child-on-child abuse and young people’s perceptions of the police.