RHSE: Relationships, Health and Sex Education

"Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way." DfE 2019

Effective RSHE can make a significant contribution to the development of the personal skills needed by pupils if they are to establish and maintain relationships. It also enables children and young people to make responsible and informed decisions about their health and well-being. It is important to note that the RSHE at our school sits within the school’s values framework and that we consider it vital to do this work in partnership with parents and carers.

We are mindful that parents/carers do have the legal right to withdraw their children from the Sex Education that is part of the PSHE (Jigsaw) Programme, whilst we hope they do not feel the need to do so.

At Ashcombe, we teach RSHE through the Jigsaw curriculum. The following parent leaflet offers more guidance as to how Jigsaw approaches these subjects.

Please also refer to the following leaflet for guidance on the teaching of issues surrounding LGBTQ+ and relationships.

During Term 6, all classes work through the ‘Changing Me’ unit of work which includes learning about puberty and conception through to child birth in Key Stage 2.

Towards the end of Term 5 there will be an opportunity for parents to attend a meeting that will provide information and guidance about Relationships, Sex and Health Education. Details about this are sent via School Ping beforehand.

An overview of each Year group’s lessons for the ‘Changing Me’ unit are attached below. This will help you to understand what your child is being taught and also help you with conversations at home.