RSHE (relationships, sex and health education)

Here you will find information about the Relationships, Sex and Health Education aspect of the national curriculum and how it is implemented at Gleadless. Should you wish to contact us about the attached information, please email school at enquiries@gleadless.sheffield.sch.uk.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education Objectives

Effective relationship and sex education is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed decisions about their lives. We believe that RSHE should not be delivered in isolation. It should be firmly rooted within the citizenship national curriculum and our PSHE framework (Jigsaw) which lie at the heart of our policy to raise standards and expectations for all pupils.

We aim to help pupils develop the skills and understanding they need to live confident, healthy and independent lives. The objective of Relationships, Sex and Health Education is to help and support young people through their physical, emotional and moral development. A successful programme, firmly embedded in PSHE, helps young people learn to respect themselves and others and move with confidence from childhood through adolescence into adulthood by preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

What is Relationships, Sex and Health Education?

The Government’s definition is this: “It is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of the importance of marriage for family life, stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care. It is also about the teaching of sex, sexuality, and sexual health. It is not about the promotion of sexual activity – this would be inappropriate teaching.” (Department for Education and Employment, SRE Guidance, 2000)

Why Teach Relationships, Sex and Health Education?

The main aims for teaching RSHE in a Primary School:

• To enable young people to understand and respect their bodies, and be able to cope with the changes puberty brings, without fear or confusion  – learning and understanding physical development at appropriate stages; – understanding human sexuality, reproduction, emotions and relationships;
• To help young people develop positive and healthy relationships appropriate to their age, development etc. (respect for self and others) 
• To support young people to have positive self-esteem and body image, and to understand the influences and pressures around them

Our RSHE Curriculum was drafted in the Autumn term of 2021, following guidelines from the Department for Education. It is based on our Jigsaw PSHE (Personal, Social, health education) Programme and the RSHE Programme drafted by Sheffield Education Authority. The Sheffield Programme was created in consultation with local groups throughout Sheffield. The Gleadless Curriculum was introduced to parents and carers during Spring 2021, and we responded in person to all questions and feedback, received through a parent survey. The curriculum outlined below was agreed and implemented from Summer Term 2021. We are pleased that it has the backing of our community and we believe it meets the needs of the children at Gleadless.