Relationships and Health Education (RHE) Policy

Rationale / Definition:

The following policy refers to Relationships and Health Education at North Ealing Primary School.

At our school, 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.

Relationships and Health Education (RHE) is a compulsory subject taught as part of our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) education from Reception to Year 6. 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. For more detailed information on PSHE, please refer to our PSHE policy, available on our school website along with our other school policies.

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 RHE lessons. However, it is taught as part of the Relationships and Health education topic- ‘changing adolescent bodies’.

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.

Policy last reviewed by the Curriculum Committee
Autumn 2024
Policy / Document due for review
Autumn 2026