Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) & Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

“Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.”

Dalai Lama

At Harris Primary Academy Kenley, we believe that Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is an important and necessary part of our pupils’ education. Coverage includes how to keep themselves safe, how to make informed decisions, how to understand risk and how to keep themselves healthy.

PSHE sessions offer classes the opportunity to discuss issues such as bullying, British Values and current issues being discussed in the news and society in general.

At Harris Primary Academy Kenley, we promote ‘British Values’ through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through the curriculum offer and supports the development of the ‘whole child’.

We recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.

‘British Values’ have been identified as:

• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

At Harris Primary Academy Kenley, we serve a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.

Pupils are encouraged to experience British Values through all aspects of the curriculum and the enrichment activities which add to their education and understanding. Academies take part in local and Harris Federation sporting activities which help to instill ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’.

The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.

Understanding Relationships and Health Education in your child’s primary school: A Guide for Parents

We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. Therefore, all primary age children are 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 different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated – these changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child.

Harris Primary Academy Kenley will have flexibility to deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs and religious background of its pupils.

Relationships Education

Relationships Education will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships, including with family, friends and online.

Your child will be taught what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who can support them. In an age-appropriate way, your child’s school will cover how to treat each other with kindness, consideration, and respect.

By the end of primary school, pupils will have been taught content on:

• families and people who care for me
• caring friendships
• respectful relationships
• online relationships
• being safe.

Health Education

Health Education aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise.

By the end of primary school, pupils will have been taught content on:

• mental wellbeing
• internet safety and harms
• physical health and fitness
• healthy eating
• facts and risks associated with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
• health and prevention
• basic first aid
• changing adolescent body.

Your rights as a parent

The important lessons you teach your child about healthy relationships, looking after themselves and staying safe, are respected, and valued under this new curriculum. Teaching at school will complement and reinforce the lessons you teach your child as they grow up.

At Harris Primary Academy Kenley, it’s important we take into account parent views when developing our policies on Relationships Education. Parents were asked express their opinions and have helped to develop the how and when to cover the content of the statutory guidance. We are required to ensure our teaching reflects the age and religious background of our pupils.

Right to withdraw your child

You cannot withdraw your child from Relationships Education because it is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and how to stay safe.

If you do not want your child to take part in some or all of the lessons on Sex Education, you can ask that they are withdrawn. At primary level, the head teacher must grant this request. The science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction, which there is no right to withdraw from. If you want to know more about what will be taught as part of the new subjects, the best thing to do is speak to your child’s teacher and read the RSE policy.

We will invite parents of Year 5 and 6 pupils to workshops to share the content of the curriculum before it is taught.

HF Curriculum Lead - Miss S French

HPAK Curriculum Lead - Miss S Buck

HPAK PSHE & RSE Lead - Miss E Filewood

HPAK Personal Development Lead - Miss E Filewood