Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships Education
Understanding Relationships and Health Education - a guide for parents
All children have the right to grow up healthy, happy, safe and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why all primary age children will be taught Relationships and Health Education.
These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very differed from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated by the DfE - the current changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child.
It is important to note that many of the topics are already being taught across the curriculum, particulalry during PHSE, science and computing lessons, so the new requirements formalise expectations but don’t make significant changes to what we teach our pupils at Belvedere Infants.
Belvedere Infant School will deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs and religious backgrounds of our pupils.
What is PSHE Education?
PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to successfully manage their lives – now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE Education develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.
What do schools have to teach in PSHE Education?
According to the National Curriculum, every school needs to have a broad and balanced curriculum that:
• promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school;
• prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life;
• promotes British values.
Relationships and Health Education is now a compulsory subject and the Department for Education strongly recommends this should also include age-appropriate Sex Education.
Schools also have statutory responsibilities to safeguard their pupils (Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE, 2021) and to uphold the Equality Act (2010).