Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship

There's now a proven link between pupils' health and wellbeing, and their academic progress. Crucial skills and positive attitudes developed through comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) are critical to ensuring children are effective learners.

As a school we use the SCARF curriculum to deliver PSHE which includes the DfE statutory requirements for Relationships and Health Education. It is whole school approach to health and well being.

We also offer our pupils further opportunities to develop personally and socially through offering a wide variety of in school and after school clubs and learning opportunities.  Examples of these are:

• Yoga
• Science Club
• Cooking club
• Forest Schools
• Cricket Club
• Cartoon Club

Further information can be found on the following links:

PSHE National Curriculum 

Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education guidance

 

Parent/Carer Consultation Findings and Department for Education (DfE) Statutory Requirements for Relationships and Health Education (September 2026)

Following our recent consultation and Parent/Carer Survey, we received 33 responses from families across Reception to Year 6. The findings were as follows:

• Most respondents had not previously reviewed the school's RSHE Policy.
• Three-quarters of respondents were not familiar with the current RSHE curriculum expectations.
• Most respondents had not received information about the RSHE curriculum. Where information had been received, newsletters and emails were the most common sources.
• On average, 90% of respondents considered the following RSHE topics to be 'very important': building healthy friendships; respect and kindness; bullying and how to respond; online safety and digital relationships; understanding emotions; a basic understanding of families and relationships; puberty education (Years 5–6); and personal boundaries and consent (age appropriate).
• 91% of respondents felt very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with the school's delivery of RSHE education.
• 88% of respondents had no concerns about RSHE being taught in school. Where concerns were raised, these mainly related to the age-appropriateness of content and ensuring that parents/carers are informed in advance.

Research shows that not delivering this vital education can place children at greater risk of poor mental health. For example, around 25% of girls begin their periods before learning about menstruation at school. This can lead to anxiety and confusion about what is happening to their bodies. Similarly, 38% of boys experience wet dreams before learning about them, which can result in feelings of shame or stigma surrounding a natural bodily function. The updated guidance therefore stipulates that puberty education, including menstruation, should begin earlier than stated in the National Curriculum Science. As a school, we will be teaching this from Year 4.

We also know that RSHE plays an important role in safeguarding children. Around 1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse, and 1 in 3 do not report it to an adult. Sexual abuse can happen to any child. One of the most effective ways to safeguard children is to ensure they receive age-appropriate information about body parts, understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch, and develop the confidence and skills needed to seek help from a trusted adult.

Research also shows that children with better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are more likely to achieve better academic outcomes. By learning about positive relationships, respect for themselves and others, and how to behave safely online, children are better able to develop healthy friendships and focus on their learning.

There can sometimes be concerns that RSHE in schools may promote sexual experimentation or cause confusion about an individual's sexuality. However, research conducted by the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles consistently shows that individuals who reported school lessons as their main source of information about sex were more likely to begin having sex at a later age than those who relied primarily on parents or other sources for information.

From September 2026, schools will be required to teach the revised 2025 statutory guidance for Relationships and Health Education. The DfE also strongly encourages primary schools to deliver sex education in Years 5 and/or 6 to help prepare children for the transition to secondary school and to support learning about conception and birth, which forms part of the National Curriculum for Science.

The revised guidance places a stronger emphasis on developing practical skills alongside knowledge, particularly in helping children navigate an increasingly complex digital world safely and healthily. It recognises that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and allows schools the flexibility to meet the needs of their pupils. The guidance has also been strengthened to support boys in developing a positive sense of masculinity, challenge harmful stereotypes, promote emotional expression and encourage help-seeking behaviours. These changes aim to support all children in developing positive relationships, understanding boundaries, and treating others with kindness and respect, while contributing to the prevention of sexual violence and abusive behaviour.

At Rushwick, we have reviewed and updated our curriculum to reflect the new guidance and statutory expectations from September 2026 onwards. A copy of our updated PSHE inc. RSHE Policy for September 2026, approved by the Governors,  acan be found below. 

We recognise that parents and carers play a vital role in their child's RSHE. We therefore encourage you to discuss these themes with your child at home.

If you would like further information, have any questions about the programme, or would like to view the resources we use, please do not hesitate to speak to your child's class teacher, Miss Lloyd, or the Headteacher, Mrs Whetham.