RSHE
Relationship, Sex and Health Education
At Merryhills, we aim to provide a fun, dynamic and exciting programme of work which is based on the Primary Programme Builders Scheme from PSHE Education.
Relationships, Sex and Health Education is made up of three areas of learning:
- Relationships and Health Education - In a primary school these are compulsory.
- Sex education - this is not compulsory in a primary school. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from some of these lessons (the ones that are not part of the science curriculum) but we would ask that if you are considering this, that you have a conversation with us first.
The compulsory curriculum covers many areas with a strong focus on relationships. The focus of this is on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults.
This starts with pupils being taught about what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who the people are who can support them. From the beginning of primary school, building on early education, pupils should be taught how to take turns, how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect, the importance of honesty and truthfulness, permission seeking and giving, and the concept of personal privacy. Establishing personal space and boundaries, showing respect and understanding the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe physical, and other, contact – these are the forerunners of teaching about consent, which takes place at secondary.
There is also focus on physical health and mental well-being. The aim of teaching pupils about physical health and mental well-being is to give them the information that they need to make good decisions about their own health and well-being and that of others around them. It should enable them to recognise what is normal and what is an issue in themselves and to help recognise this in others. They learn how to seek support and who to ask for help. Through delivery of a strong RSHE curriculum, we aim to significantly develop the social, moral, cultural and spiritual education of the children in our care. Alongside the British Values and our Merryhills Values, RSHE is woven throughout our curriculum.
