positive views of self. Our scheme aims to cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community.

Children will learn about moral values through all aspects of school life and in all curriculum areas, not just in Relationships and Sex Education. The RSE programme at St Michael’s CEP School Primary School reflects the school ethos and demonstrates and encourages the following values: -

• Respect for self

• Respect for others

• Responsibility for their own actions

• Responsibility for their family, friends, schools and wider community.

 

Taking account of the age, maturity and needs of the pupils, Relationships and Sex Education aims to:

• Help children to develop feelings of self-respect, self-esteem, self-confidence, sympathy and empathy

• Prepare pupils for puberty

• Give children an understanding of reproduction and sexual development

• Give children an understanding of the importance of health and hygiene

• Develop and use communication skills and assertiveness skills to cope with the influences of their peers and the media

• Answer pupils’ questions honestly and sensitively – referring the child to parents where appropriate

• Enable children to recognise unsafe situations and be able to protect themselves and ask for help and support

• Help children to understand the consequences of their actions and behave responsibly within relationships.

 

Many relationship aspects are covered through our curriculum and PSHE programme; which helps to equip children with knowledge, understanding and practical skills, appropriate to their age and maturity, in order to live healthy, safe, fulfilled and  responsible lives.  Sex Education will be taught discretely in Year 6. However, in younger year groups, some biological aspects are covered in Science, while PSHE also enables children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values   and attitudes, exploring the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future. Linked with R.E., children reflect on family relationships, different family groups and friendships. They learn about rituals and traditions associated with birth, marriage and death and talk about the emotions  involved. Our curriculum has been developed in line with the latest government guidance: [www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education] particularly paragraphs 54-62 for relationships  education and paragraphs 65-68for Sex Education in primary schools.

 

Parents should also be aware that the Church of England states in “Valuing All God’s Children”, 2019 that RSE should: “Make it clear that relationships and sex education is designed to prepare all pupils for the future, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. RSE must promote gender equality and LGBT equality and it must challenge discrimination. RSE must take the needs and experiences of LGBT people into account and it should seek to develop an understanding that there are a variety of relationships and family patterns in the modern world.” (Page 34) 

 

Please note that a letter will be sent to parents prior to the teaching of this optional unit, asking if parents want their child withdrawn from these lessons. The range of material used is available to parents/carers at any time, please just ask.

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IMPLEMENTATION:

Our RSHE scheme of work is centred around the Heartsmart scheme which is taught in five thematic units, which consist of seven lessons, each with supporting materials. These thematic units are taught to each year group each year. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of RSHE education regularly at a depth that is appropriate for the age and stage of the child.

Heartsmart units are designed to be delivered in a creative manner, using many approaches such as role play, discussion and games with groups of various sizes. These activities enable children to build confidence and resilience. See Appendix One for further information on the topics covered by Heart Smart.

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IMPACT:

Children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part. St Michael’s supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them.

Successful PSHE education can have a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem. Evidence suggests that successful PSHE education also helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children achieve to a greater extent by raising aspirations and empowering them with skills to overcome barriers they face. Our RSHE scheme of work can be used as a whole-school approach to positively impact wellbeing, safeguarding and SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) outcomes. This can ensure that all children are able to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed at school and in the wider world.