What exactly is Relationship Sex Education?

Relationships and sex education (RSE) is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health.

Some aspects of RSE are taught in science, and others are taught as part of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE).

Why do we teach Relationship Sex Education?

Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way. We teach RSE sensitively and inclusively, with respect to the backgrounds and beliefs of pupils and parents while always with the aim of providing pupils with the knowledge they need of the law. We ensure the subjects put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online. This sits alongside the essential understanding of how to be healthy.  All of this content is supported by the wider work of Millbrook in helping to foster pupil wellbeing and develop resilience and character that we know are fundamental to pupils being happy, successful and productive members of society. 

This work is in the context of the whole PSHE curriculum and underpinned by our values 'Kindness and Responsbilit'.  The emphasis is on changes that children will experience as they grow up: what those changes look and feel like, and why they happen. We aim, by the end of Year 6, to have helped children understand puberty and human reproduction. 

From September 2020, relationships and health education became compulsory in all primary schools in England. For primary aged children this includes curriculum content under two headings (DfE 2019): Relationships and Health Education.

Relationships education focuses on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships including:

· Families and people who care for me

· Caring friendships

· Respectful relationships

· Online and media

· Being safe

· Preparing children for the changes that adolescence brings

Health Education includes learning about the characteristics of good physical health and mental wellbeing.

Sex Education is tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of pupils. Sex Education in primary school is designed to prepare children for the changes that adolescence brings. Primary Sex Education will lead to

· preparing children for the changes that adolescence brings

· understanding how a baby is conceived and born

The National Curriculum for Science (a compulsory subject), includes learning the correct names for the main external body parts, learning about the human body as it grows from birth to old age and reproduction in some plants and animals (which could include human beings).

In primary school, parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory/non-science components of sex education within RSE. Further details of this can be found in our Relationships and Sex Education Policy (RSE policy).

At Millbrook, we teach RSE through PSHE curriculum. Our 'Healthy Me, Safe me' scheme weaves the expectations of the DfE Relationships and Health Education guidance throughout.