PSHE including Relationship, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) at Howden le Wear Primary School
At Howden le Wear Primary School we believe PSHE and Citizenship allows our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. Our pupils are encouraged to develop a sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.
Our Intent is to enable the children to:
- Develop self-confidence and self-esteem and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues
- Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle both emotionally and physically
- Be aware of safety issues
- Understand what makes healthy relationships with others
- Understand our common humanity, diversity and differences within society
- Have respect and tolerance for our diverse community
- Be independent and responsible members of the school community
- Be positive and active members of a democratic society
- Be aware of the value and management of money and have a basic understanding of enterprise
- Develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community.
For Relationships and Sex Education we also focus on:
- How to form and maintain healthy relationships
- About the physical development of their bodies as they grow into adults.
- To develop their understanding of human reproduction
- To respect their own bodies and the importance of a committed long term and loving relationship
- To respect the views and wishes of others.
- How to recognise and manage emotions in a range of relationships
- How to keep themselves safe
We implement a range of teaching and learning styles. The children will take part in activities that include discussions, role play, games, investigations and problem-solving. Through the year we also include a range of practical activities that promote active citizenship and British values such as charity fundraising. Children have opportunities to meet and work with members of the community e.g. members of the local church, health workers, professionals from the emergency services, whom we invite into school to talk about their roles. Children take different roles of responsibility during their school life and may be a school council rep for their class, a playground buddy or sports leader during their time in school.
We follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme where each class follows the 6 Puzzle pieces across the academic year, with each Piece being a sequence of 6 age appropriate lessons:
- Being Me in my World
- Celebrating Difference
- Dreams and Goals
- Healthy Me
- Relationships
- Changing Me
To find out more about the Jigsaw PSHE programme and an overview of Jigsaw content for each year group, please click on the links below:
Relationship, Health & Sex Education (RHSE)
From September 2020, Relationships and Health Education were made compulsory in all primary schools in England and includes curriculum content under these headings.
Relationships Education: is designed to help children to have positive and safe relationships with family, friends and online. All primary schools are required by the government to teach Relationships Education and parents cannot withdraw children from this section of the curriculum. The areas this section of the curriculum cover are:
- Families and people who care for me
- Caring Friendships
- Respectful Relationships
- Online Relationships
- Being Safe
Health Education: supports children to make good decisions about their health and wellbeing and enable them to know how to seek support if any health issues arise for themselves or others. All primary schools are required by the government to teach Health Education and parents cannot withdraw children from this section of the curriculum. The areas this section of the curriculum cover are:
- Mental wellbeing
- Internet safety and harms
- Physical health and fitness
- Healthy eating
- Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- Health and prevention
- Basic first aid
- The changing adolescent body
Sex Education: is designed to help children to:
- Understand and respect their bodies
- Develop positive and healthy relationships appropriate to their age and development
- Support children to have positive self-esteem and body image
- Empower them to be safe and safeguarded.
Parents do have the right to request their child is withdrawn from these specific lessons. If you wish to withdraw your child, please contact Mr Baines, Headteacher who will be happy to discuss this further with you and a withdrawal form will need to be completed.
At Howden le Wear Primary School, all aspects of RHSE is taught through the Jigsaw PHSE Programme and specifically delivered through the ‘Relationships’ and ‘Changing Me’ puzzle pieces which are covered in the second half of the summer term annually. More information on the content of lessons can be found at the links below:
What-do-Primary-Schools-in-England-have-to-teach-for-statutory-Relationships-Education
RSHE-A-Guide-for-Parents-and-Carers-leaflet
Jigsaw LGBTQ Parents Leaflet
Review / Consultation on PSHE / RHSE
We are currently reviewing our Relationship, Health and Sex Education curriculum and policy so we can be sure our RHSE 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 are consulting with parents, staff and governors to gauge their views on how this content is covered in school. Please take the time to read the draft PSHE / RHSE policy below and complete the parent/carer survey with your feedback by Friday 25 March.
PHSE Policy including RHSE 2022-23
The parent consultation survey link can be found here: https://forms.gle/hk6N6wHdvFwVb6oA9
All feedback received will be reviewed and the outcomes published on our website in due course. Alternatively, should you wish to speak with us directly about PHSE / RHSE please contact us through the usual communication channels to arrange an appointment.
