At Much Marcle CE Primary, Relationships and Health Education focuses on teaching students about caring friendships, families, respectful relationships, online safety, personal safety, growing up, and puberty, in line with the DfE 2020 Statutory Relationship and Health Education guidance. 

‘PSHE education gives pupils the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain…. When taught well, PSHE education helps pupils to achieve their academic potential, and leave school equipped with skills they will need throughout later life.’

PSHE association

Relationships and Health Education (RHE) is a compulsory subject taught as part of our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) education throughout school. Our PSHE and RHE curriculum is designed to help children grow up happy, healthy, and safe, providing them with age-appropriate knowledge and skills throughout their time at school. PSHE includes all elements of Relationships and Health education as well as elements of citizenship and financial literacy. 

Sex Education is included within the Relationships and Health Education curriculum for Year 6 and builds on the understanding of puberty and growing up, which is a required part of Health Education. Sex education in the primary stage specifically covers the scientific process of reproduction, including how a baby is conceived and born. While this is a statutory part of the National Science Curriculum, it is a non-statutory element within Year 6 PSHE lessons. However, it is taught as part of the Relationships and Health education topic.

The goal of Relationships Education is to equip students with the life skills needed to make informed decisions and protect themselves from harmful or exploitative situations. It also supports their personal development, including their Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) growth. This education promotes equality, explores human and social diversity, and fosters self-worth while encouraging the recognition, acceptance, and respect of differences.