RSHE

PSHE is Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education and RSE is Relationships and Sex Education.

At Chidham Parochial Primary School, we have been teaching many aspects of PSHE for several years – some discretely and some linked to our themes and key texts. The Government made PSHE a statutory subject in September 2020, meaning that schools must teach it and set out guidance around what pupils should know by the end of their time in primary and secondary school. The government guidance can be found via this link.

We used this opportunity to review our PSHE offer:

Our approach to building our current RSHE (ie combining what was originally our PSHE and Sex Education curriculum in light of current DfE guidance)

We are part of a project with West Sussex County Council called Education for Safeguarding (E4S). This essentially sets out RSHE as a curriculum to help children understand the world they are growing up in, teaching them how to keep themselves safe in all areas of their world and giving every child the best chance for their lives ahead.

The E4S curriculum is based around 4 key cornerstones:

· Relationship and Health Education

· Digital and Media Literacy

· Physical Health and Wellbeing

· Emotional Health and Wellbeing

During the last 12 months, we undertook a consultation with staff, parents, governors and children. Following the consultation, we used E4S tools to create a bespoke curriculum based on our children’s needs. Following this, we looked for links with other curriculum areas and identified opportunities where content could be taught through our topics. PSHE/E4S is also taught discretely in a subject the children will know as PSHCE. We will revisit, and update our curriculum accordingly to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the children. Any changes all parents and carers will be informed

Further information about our approach to PSHE, including our approach to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at Chidham Parochial Primary School is found in the policy. This has been produced following consultation with staff, governors and parents.

Intent

Our intention is that when children leave Chidham Parochial Primary School, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being. Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen

now and in their future roles within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. Our Relationships and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

Implementation

PSHE is taught across the school from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6. In our EYFS, PSHE is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals

In Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, PSHE is taught using our own bespoke curriculum, which was developed using a range of resources based upon the West Sussex Education for Safeguarding Curriculum and includes the statutory framework for Relationships and Sex, Health Education. Our PSHE curriculum is divided into four main cornerstones:

· Relationships and Sex Education (RSE): Relationships and sex education is learning about the characteristics of positive relationships, friendships, family relationships, relationships with other children and with adults, identity, diversity, and feeling safe. Further to this, the older pupils learn about some emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up.

· Digital Media and Literacy (DML): It is important that in modern Britain, young people grow up having been taught the skills and knowledge to be able to navigate ever changing digital technology and explore the positive contributions the internet creates, whilst also ensuring that they are critical thinkers, can recognise risk and develop effective strategies for staying safe online.

· Physical Health and Wellbeing Education (PHWB): This is learning about the characteristics of good physical health, wellbeing and the connections between our bodies, minds, behaviours and wellbeing. The main areas include the benefits and importance of exercise, nutrition, sleep, hygiene, healthier lifestyles, substances, health prevention, emergencies and keeping safe and taking risks.

· Emotional Health and Wellbeing Education (EHWB): This is about learning the characteristics of positive mental health and wellness, and exploring how pupils can best maintain these. Teaching ways to recognise challenges to emotional health and helping pupils develop strategies to cope is of paramount importance.

The PSHE curriculum is also taught and developed across the school in wider curriculum opportunities and our through our ethos.

Impact

By the time the children leave our school they understand how they are developing personally and socially, and can discuss and tackle many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of life and which they see. Our curriculum allows pupils to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.

“The lessons are fun!” Y2 child

“I like these lessons, we get to talk and share things” Y3 child

“I like sharing our thoughts and ideas in these lessons” Y4 child

“It’s interesting finding out different things” Y5 child

“There’s so much to learn about everything – it’s fascinating!” Y6 child

Please click the following link to read our RSHE Policy.

RSHE Overview showing Learning Objectives

Digital Media and Literacy Learning Map

Emotional Health & Well-Being Learning Map

Physical Health & Well-Being Learning Map

Relationships and Sex Education Learning Map

Questions around Relationship & Sex Education

Throughout their time at Chidham Parochial Primary School the children will have relationship & sex education lessons as part of our PSHE curriculum. We know that all families are different and the discussions families have at home will be different. This may be a helpful short guide in supporting families about discussions around bodies and sex. We hope you find the information useful.

Parents can find more general information about PSHE and our teaching approaches on the school website and in the PSHE policy

Why start in year 1?

Safeguarding from an early age is essential. We all know young children ask loads of questions, not least of all about their bodies and your body and if they are asking questions they deserve answers. The content introduced in each year group is done in an age appropriate way. The content for each year group builds on the learning from previous year groups.

Why do children need to know the correct scientific names for their body parts?

When we teach in school, we will always use the correct scientific names for body parts and we would urge parents to do the same at home. In the event of anything happening to them, they have the vocabulary to give exact information. Child abusers target uneducated children – those who don’t have the words and knowledge of what’s right and wrong.

When should I talk to my child about body parts and sex?

This will be different for different families. Some families will be very open about bodies and relationships and will have lots of discussions about this, as children start to ask questions. Some families will take the opportunity to discuss bodies and relationships, following children’s lessons in school

What should I do if I don’t know the answer to a question or I’m uncomfortable answering it?

Firstly, it’s great that your child is asking questions. As parents and teachers, we would much rather children have their questions answered correctly by an adult. When we’re asked a sex education question in school that needs some thought about answering we might say something like ‘That’s a really good question and one that deserves a really good answer. Let me have a think about it and I’ll come back to you soon’. Below are some websites and resources that might help you to answer it. If it’s a question that worries you, you might need to ask a few follow up questions to determine why it’s being asked.

What else can I do to help?

From the very beginning always refer to parts of their bodies by the correct terms, for example, boys have a penis and girls have a vagina. Ensure they are aware of the 4 parts of their body no one should touch unless they want them to: the genital area (penis, vagina), bottom, chest and mouth. This is also known as ‘The Underwear Rule’. Reassure them they can come to you if ANYONE does anything to them or asks them to keep a secret. Never expect or force them to kiss people goodbye etc. Blowing kisses, shaking hands or a “high five” can be a good alternative. Don’t assume all children are heterosexual – try to use partner instead of ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’ Tell them they can always speak to you as a Parent/Carer or a trusted adult within School, to ask about things that they have seen/heard and don’t understand (don’t assume they know this). As a parent/carer, keep the channels of communication going, be interested, who are their friends at School? Who are their online friends? Make time to talk.

What resources can I use to help me discuss bodies and relationships with my child?

The Underwear rule https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

General information about the stages and signs of puberty in boys and girls/General Worries: https://www.childline.org.uk

Friends, Relationships and Sex https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/friends-relationships-sex/

Online Relationships: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Information about how to recognise unhealthy relationships online & FGM: https://www.forwarduk.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls/female-genital-mutilation/

Child and Forced Marriage: https://www.forwarduk.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls/child-forced-marriage/ http://www.freedomcharity.org.uk/