PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) has now been separated in to subject areas specific to Primary and Secondary Education and is now compulsory.
At Sir Henry Fermor, our children will be taught RHE (Relationships and Health Education). Following consultation with parents and our community, our policy and curriculum overview for all year groups will be published.
All children, in all year groups are focusing on mental health and well-being in RHE. There is an emphasis on online safety, as many children may have had extended access to online content during the partial closure of schools.
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. This is why we have made Relationships Education compulsory in all primary schools in England and Relationships and Sex Education compulsory in all secondary schools, as well as making Health Education compulsory in all state-funded schools.
Our guiding principles have been that all of the compulsory subject content must be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate. It must be taught sensitively and inclusively, with respect to the backgrounds and beliefs of pupils and parents while always with the aim of providing pupils with the knowledge they need of the law.
In primary schools, we want the subjects to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online. This will sit alongside the essential understanding of how to be healthy. Teaching about mental wellbeing is central to these subjects, especially as a priority for parents is their children’s happiness.