Relationships & Sex Education

As a part of your child’s educational experience at St Helen's, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education that gives children and young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.

The Department for Education has made changes to relationships and sex education following nationwide consultation which came into effect from September 2020 and all schools are required to comply with the updated requirements. The statutory guidance can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education

The guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships.

Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up will give children and young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and help them take responsibility for their own well-being.

The Church of England Education Office faith-sensitive and inclusive approach is underpinned by two key biblical passages:

‘So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.’ (Genesis I:27, NRSV)

‘I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10, GNB)

Consequently, from September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), along with Health Education, will be statutory, and form part of the National Curriculum.

We have reviewed our RSE curriculum and policy in the light of the statutory requirements and also the Church of England's Principles and Charter so that we can be sure our RSE provision is appropriate for our pupils based on their:

• Age

• Physical and emotional maturity

• Religious and cultural backgrounds

• Special educational needs and disabilities

As part of this process, we consulted with parents, staff and governors which helped to inform our decisions on when and how certain content is covered.

This consultation enabled us to reach a general consensus and we made adjustments to our policy and curriculum based on this feedback.