Relationships and PSHE Education
CONSULTATION OPEN
Schools are required to incorporate the DfE's Relationships Education guidance into their curriculum. Our current PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) curriculum, which includes the Relationship Education programs of study, and PSHE policy is due to be reviewed to ensure that it complies with the guidance and is appropriate for the children at our school.
We are currently inviting all stakeholders to consult on the proposed policy and we welcome feedback from parents and carers of children attending Ridgeway Infant School. Please read the following draft policy, guidance and frequently asked questions before completing the survey to share any feedback you may have before Friday 24th May 2024. To share your feedback click the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/eZTxp44AH0
After reviewing our policy and provision, there are no proposed changes to the existing policy or curriculum.
Useful Documents
DfE Guidance for Parents/Carers
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will my child be taught sex education at Ridgeway?
A: No. The DfE are not introducing compulsory sex education at primary school. Primary schools are free to determine whether pupils should be taught sex education beyond what is required of the national curriculum. At Ridgeway we will teach the statutory requirements of the science curriculum which, at Key Stage 1, includes teaching about the main external parts of the human body, how the human body changes as it grows from birth to old age, and the knowledge that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults. We will not teach any additional sex education at Ridgeway as we believe that this is better taught later in a child’s school life.
Q: Can I withdraw my child from Relationships Education or Health Education?
A: No, parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from Relationships Education, Health Education or the programme of study set out for Science in the National Curriculum. This is because we are only teaching the statutory curriculum for Relationships Education, Health Education and the Science curriculum at Key Stage 1. This crucial teaching will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds. This will start with family and friends, how to treat each other with kindness and recognising the difference between online and offline friendships.
Q: Does the new Relationships Education take account of my faith?
A: Yes. The DfE states that primary schools should “put in place the building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online.” It is clear that “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.” Relationships Education has been designed to help children from all backgrounds build positive and safe relationships, and to thrive in modern Britain. This means taking into account the religious background of pupils when planning teaching, so that topics are appropriately handled. In developing these subjects, the DfE have worked with a number of representative bodies and faith organisations, representing all the major faith groups in England.
Q: Will my child be taught about LGBT+ relationships?
A: Yes, in a general way. Under the Equality Act 2010, all schools are required to “have due regard to the need to” eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the act, advance quality of opportunity and foster good relations across all protected characteristics. At Ridgeway we believe that all pupils should be introduced to equality and inclusivity, as well as taught about the society in which they are growing up. Relationships Education is designed to foster respect for others and for difference, and educate pupils about healthy relationships. Our guidance is clear that primary schools are strongly encouraged and enabled to cover LGBT+ content in a sensitive and age appropriate manner. As our children are very young, at Ridgeway, LGBT+ content is covered through teaching about our different types of families (e.g. some families have two mums or two dads) and that they all are special and valued.