PSHE and RSE
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) at Greenland Community Primary School
At Greenland Community Primary School, we want every child to feel happy, safe, valued and confident as they grow and learn. RSHE is an important part of helping our children develop the knowledge, language and skills they need to look after themselves, understand their feelings, build positive relationships and know how to stay safe.
RSHE is not about teaching children things that are inappropriate for their age. It is about giving children the right information at the right time, in a way that is suitable for their age and stage of development. Across the primary years, this includes learning about friendships, families, kindness, respect, feelings, personal boundaries, staying safe, physical and mental health, and how to seek help from a trusted adult.
As children grow older, the curriculum gradually develops to help them understand the changes that happen as they grow up.
Why are we teaching RSHE?
Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory parts of the curriculum in primary schools in England. This means that schools are required to provide teaching in these areas. At Greenland, this learning is delivered through our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) curriculum.
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The Department for Education has also updated its statutory RSHE guidance, which came into effect on 1st September 2026.
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For us at Greenland, however, RSHE is about much more than simply meeting a statutory requirement. We see it as an important part of preparing our children for life beyond the classroom.
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Children are growing up in a world where they encounter lots of different information and influences. We want to help them develop the confidence and understanding they need to make safe, healthy and respectful choices, both now and as they grow older.
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Our approach is always age-appropriate, carefully planned and sensitive to the needs of our children. We want children to know that it is okay to ask questions, talk about their feelings and speak to a trusted adult when they are worried or unsure about something.
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Why did we consult our parents and carers?
At Greenland, we know that parents and carers know their children best and are their first and most important educators. We therefore feel strongly that RSHE should be something we approach together as a school and a community.
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As part of reviewing our RSHE curriculum and policy, we wanted to give parents and carers an opportunity to understand what we teach, why we teach it and how we make sure that learning is appropriate for our children. We also wanted to listen to the views, questions and concerns of our families.
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The DfE's guidance places importance on schools being open with parents and engaging with them when developing their approach to RSHE.
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We are very grateful to everyone who took the time to take part in our consultation in July 2026. We received a range of views, questions and comments, and we have listened carefully to the feedback we received.
Your feedback has helped us to reflect carefully on our approach and ensure that our RSHE curriculum is right for the children and families of Greenland Community Primary School.
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At the bottom of this page, we have answered some of the questions and concerns raised during our consultation.
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Working together
We believe that the best RSHE happens when home and school work together. We will continue to be open with families about what children are learning and provide opportunities for parents and carers to ask questions and talk to us.
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Above all, our aim is simple: to help our children grow into kind, confident, healthy and respectful young people who know how to look after themselves, look out for others and know where to turn when they need help.
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This is at the heart of everything we do at Greenland Community Primary School.
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Further information
What will children learn?
At Greenland Community Primary School, children will build their understanding gradually through age-appropriate lessons.
They will learn about friendships, families, kindness, respect, feelings and emotions, personal boundaries, staying safe and online safety. They will also learn how to recognise when something doesn't feel right and who they can talk to if they need help.
We also place a strong focus on health and wellbeing. Children will learn about exercise, healthy eating, sleep, emotional wellbeing and looking after their mental health.
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As they get older, children will learn about growing and changing. In Year 5, this includes learning about puberty and the physical and emotional changes that happen as children grow into young people. This learning forms part of the Science curriculum and is therefore not something from which parents can withdraw their child.
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As part of learning about their bodies and staying safe, children will also be taught the correct names for different parts of the body. This helps children to talk confidently and appropriately about their bodies, communicate clearly if they are worried or need help, and understand that their bodies belong to them.
All of this learning is carefully planned to be appropriate for children's age and stage of development. Our aim is to help our children feel confident, stay safe, look after their wellbeing and develop positive and respectful relationships with others.
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Your parental rights
We recognise and value the important role that parents and carers play in teaching their children about relationships, health, growing up and staying safe. Our teaching at school is intended to complement and reinforce the conversations and values that families share at home.
Parents and carers are encouraged to share their views with school. Your feedback helps us consider how and when different aspects of the curriculum are taught and whether any additional, non-statutory content is appropriate for our children.
When planning RSHE, schools are expected to take account of the age and developmental stage of pupils, as well as their religious and cultural backgrounds.
We want parents and carers to feel informed and confident about what their children are learning. Our RSHE policy and information about the curriculum are available to families, and we welcome questions or conversations about any aspect of our approach.
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Right to withdraw
There is no right to withdraw children from Relationships Education or Health Education, as these are statutory parts of the primary curriculum. This includes important learning about friendships, families, relationships, personal safety, online safety, physical health and emotional wellbeing.
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Children also cannot be withdrawn from Science curriculum content, including learning about puberty and human development.
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At Greenland, Year 5 children learn about puberty as part of their Science curriculum. This learning helps children understand the physical and emotional changes that take place as they grow and develop.
Primary schools can choose to provide additional sex education beyond the Science curriculum. Where a primary school does provide such teaching, parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from that specific sex education.
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At Greenland, our focus is on providing children with the age-appropriate knowledge and skills they need to understand themselves, build positive relationships, stay safe and look after their wellbeing.
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Our commitment to families
We understand that RSHE can sometimes feel like a sensitive area for families. That is why we are committed to being open, clear and respectful about what we teach.
The feedback from our consultation has helped us to understand what matters most to our families. We will continue to listen, communicate and work alongside parents and carers to ensure that our RSHE curriculum is delivered thoughtfully and sensitively.
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You asked, we listened
Thank you to all of our parents and carers who took the time to share their thoughts and questions during our RSHE consultation. We received a range of views, and we have listened carefully to the concerns and suggestions raised.
We understand that RSHE can sometimes feel like a sensitive area for families. Our intention is to make sure that parents understand what their children will learn, why they will learn it and how it will be taught at Greenland Community Primary School.
Will children be taught about sex?
No. Sex education is not part of our primary RSHE programme at Greenland.
Our focus is on Relationships Education and Health Education, including friendships, families, kindness, respect, emotions, boundaries, personal safety and wellbeing. Primary schools are required to teach Relationships Education and Health Education, while sex education beyond the Science curriculum is not compulsory in primary schools.
Children will learn the scientific elements required within the National Curriculum for Science, alongside age-appropriate learning about growing and changing.
What will children learn about puberty?
Puberty will be taught in Year 5.
Children will learn about the physical and emotional changes that happen as they grow. This will be presented as a normal and natural part of growing up, using appropriate language and resources.
We will teach this learning to all children together. We believe this helps children understand that growing and changing is something everyone experiences and encourages an open, respectful and supportive approach without embarrassment or shame.
Will children be taught the correct names for body parts?
Yes.
At Greenland, children will learn the correct names for the different parts of the body in an age-appropriate way. This is an important part of children's understanding of their own bodies and personal safety. Having the correct vocabulary helps children communicate clearly if they are worried, uncomfortable or need to tell a trusted adult about something that has happened.
Will children learn about grooming and staying safe?
Yes – safeguarding is an important part of our RSHE curriculum.
We want our children to have the knowledge and confidence to recognise when something doesn't feel right and to know what to do and who they can talk to.
This includes age-appropriate learning about personal boundaries, unsafe situations, trusted adults, online safety and recognising behaviours that may be concerning or manipulative. The DfE specifically identifies recognising indicators of grooming and knowing how to seek help as appropriate safeguarding learning.
This is not about frightening children. It is about giving them the confidence to recognise that they can say no, move away from situations that make them uncomfortable and tell a trusted adult.
How will you make sure the teaching is age appropriate?
This is something we take very seriously.
RSHE is carefully sequenced across the primary years so that children are introduced to ideas gradually and at an appropriate stage of their development. We will not introduce information simply because it is available to adults; we will consider what children genuinely need to know at each age.
The updated DfE guidance specifically states that RSHE should be relevant, age and stage appropriate, carefully sequenced and delivered in a way that supports rather than alarms pupils. It also emphasises that staff should have the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a safe and supportive learning environment.
What if a child asks a question that goes beyond the lesson?
Children are naturally curious, and sometimes they ask questions that are beyond what we have planned to teach.
Staff will respond calmly and appropriately. They will not introduce information that is unsuitable for the child's age simply because a question has been asked. Where appropriate, a question may be acknowledged and followed up with the child or family separately.
We will always consider the child's age, understanding and individual circumstances.
Will teachers be properly prepared to teach RSHE?
Yes.
We recognise that the quality and sensitivity of delivery is just as important as the content itself. Staff delivering RSHE will be supported to understand the curriculum, use appropriate resources and create a safe, respectful environment where children feel comfortable asking questions.
Our safeguarding procedures also mean that staff are prepared to respond appropriately if a child shares something that causes concern.
Will parents know what their children are learning?
Yes. We believe openness with families is extremely important.
We will make information about our RSHE (PSHE) curriculum available to parents and carers and will be clear about the content being taught. This will also be found on the school webite under PSHE. We want families to feel able to ask questions and talk to us about any aspect of the curriculum.
The DfE guidance specifically encourages schools to be transparent with parents about RSHE content and the materials used.
What about different family, cultural and religious beliefs?
At Greenland, we recognise and respect that our children and families come from a range of backgrounds, cultures and faiths.
Our RSHE curriculum is designed to help every child understand kindness, respect, safety, health and positive relationships. We will teach these topics sensitively and respectfully, while ensuring that children receive the statutory education they are entitled to.
Why do we need RSHE at all?
Ultimately, RSHE is about helping children feel safe, understand themselves and others, and know where to turn when they need help.
Children are growing up in a world where they encounter information and influences both inside and outside school. We want to give them the knowledge and confidence to navigate that world safely.
At Greenland, our approach is simple: age-appropriate, carefully planned, sensitively delivered and always with the wellbeing and safety of our children at the heart of what we do.
