RSE / PSHE

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and PSHE

At Whetstone Field Primary School, our PSHE and Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum helps children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safe and healthy, build positive relationships, make informed choices and prepare for life in modern Britain.

From September 2026, children in Years 1 to 6 receive a weekly PSHE lesson using the Kapow Primary scheme of work. Our curriculum has been reviewed and updated to reflect the latest statutory Relationships and Health Education guidance.

Our curriculum

Learning is carefully sequenced so that children's knowledge and understanding develop progressively as they move through school. Topics are revisited at an increasingly sophisticated level, appropriate to pupils' age and maturity.

Across the school, children learn about:

Health and wellbeing – physical and mental health, emotions, healthy lifestyles, food and nutrition, exercise, sleep, hygiene and looking after ourselves.
Relationships – families, friendships, kindness, respect, personal boundaries, consent, resolving disagreements and recognising healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Keeping safe – identifying risks, trusted adults, personal safety, first aid, emergency situations and knowing when and how to ask for help.
Online safety – staying safe online, privacy, social media, online identities, misleading information, harmful content, scams, gaming and managing screen use.
Growing and changing – understanding how our bodies and emotions change as we grow, using correct scientific vocabulary and learning about puberty in an age-appropriate way.
Citizenship – rights and responsibilities, communities, democracy, equality, diversity, money, careers and contributing positively to society.
Health protection – medicines, vaccinations, sun safety and the risks associated with smoking, vaping, alcohol and other harmful substances.

Our curriculum also develops children's understanding of issues including bullying and discrimination, stereotypes, bereavement and loss, different types of families, marriage and civil partnerships, financial safety, fire and railway safety, and how to respond appropriately in an emergency.

Progression through school

In Years 1 and 2, children develop the foundations of healthy relationships, recognise and talk about emotions, learn how to keep their bodies healthy, understand personal boundaries and begin to explore how to stay safe both offline and online.

In Years 3 and 4, pupils develop a deeper understanding of physical and mental wellbeing, friendships, bullying, online communication, rights and responsibilities, financial awareness, first aid and the physical and emotional changes associated with growing up.

In Years 5 and 6, pupils consider relationships, health, online influences and personal safety in greater depth. They learn about puberty and changing emotions, identity, boundaries and consent, discrimination and stereotypes, healthy choices, risks associated with drugs and harmful substances, financial decision-making and how choices made now can affect their future health and wellbeing.

Sex Education

Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory for primary-aged pupils.

In addition to this statutory content and the relevant National Curriculum Science content, pupils in Year 6 receive age-appropriate sex education during the Summer Term. This helps pupils understand human reproduction, conception, pregnancy and birth, alongside consent, relationships, different types of families and the responsibilities involved in becoming a parent.

Parents and carers have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from the non-statutory elements of sex education. There is no right to withdraw from statutory Relationships Education, Health Education or relevant National Curriculum Science content.

An inclusive and safe curriculum

We recognise that children have different experiences, backgrounds and needs. Teaching is adapted where appropriate to ensure that all pupils, including pupils with SEND, can access the curriculum successfully.

Lessons are taught within a safe and respectful environment. Children are encouraged to ask questions and discuss issues appropriately, with clear ground rules in place. If a question or discussion raises a safeguarding concern, staff follow the school's safeguarding procedures.

Working with parents and carers

We believe that parents and carers play a vital role in children's personal, social and relationship education. Our updated curriculum and policy were developed following consultation with our school community.

We aim to be open and transparent about what is taught. Parents and carers who would like further information or who wish to view the teaching resources used within our RSHE and PSHE curriculum are welcome to contact the school.

Our full Relationships and Sex Education Policy and Curriculum Overview can be viewed below.