Relationship Education
At Leigh and Bransford Primary School, we believe that Relationships Education plays a vital role in helping children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to stay safe, build positive relationships and thrive both now and in the future.
Changes to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
From 1 September 2026, updated statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) guidance published by the Department for Education will come into effect in all schools.
The updated guidance ensures that teaching reflects the needs of children growing up in today's world and supports their safety, wellbeing and understanding of healthy relationships.
View the full statutory guidance here: DfE RSE statutory guidance
What are the key changes?
The updated guidance builds on the existing curriculum and strengthens learning in several important areas:
Online Safety and Digital Wellbeing
Children will learn how to stay safe online, including understanding digital influences, recognising scams and making safe choices when using technology.
Personal Safety
Pupils will develop an understanding of how to stay safe in a range of everyday situations, including around roads, water and public places.
Accurate and Age-Appropriate Language
Children will be taught the correct vocabulary for body parts and other key concepts, helping to support understanding, communication and safeguarding.
Emotional Wellbeing
Learning will help children recognise and manage emotions, understand life changes and develop resilience when dealing with feelings such as loss or uncertainty.
Communication and Healthy Boundaries
Children will develop the confidence to express their thoughts, feelings and needs while learning to respect the feelings and boundaries of others.
Safeguarding and Seeking Help
Pupils will learn how to recognise situations that may be unsafe and understand how to seek support from trusted adults when needed.
The new guidance requires schools to provide:
- A clearly structured and age-appropriate curriculum.
- Transparency about what children are taught - parents are able to request specific unit coverage information.
- Opportunities for parental consultation when reviewing policies.
- Information for parents about their right to withdraw their child from the non-statutory sex education lessons in Year 6.
Our PSHE and RSE Curriculum
PSHE & Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
At Leigh and Bransford Primary School, we are committed to helping children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to stay healthy, safe and prepared for life. Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum supports pupils to become confident, respectful and responsible members of society.
We teach PSHE and RSE through the Kapow Primary scheme, which fully meets the statutory requirements for Relationships Education and Health Education. Learning includes:
- Families and relationships
- Friendships
- Online safety
- Mental wellbeing
- Physical health and puberty
- Sex education (Year 6, non-statutory)
From Reception to Year 6, pupils build their understanding through a carefully planned curriculum that develops year on year. Key areas of learning include:
- My Healthy Self
- Connecting with Others
- The Online World
- Staying Safe
- Health Protection
- Citizenship
- Growing Up
- Sex Education and First Aid (Year 6)
An Inclusive Curriculum
Our PSHE and RSE curriculum reflects the diverse world in which children live. Lessons include a wide range of family structures, cultures, backgrounds and experiences, helping children develop empathy, respect and understanding for others. Resources are carefully chosen to ensure all pupils feel valued, represented and included.
How We Teach PSHE & RSE
PSHE and RSE lessons take place weekly and are delivered in an age-appropriate, sensitive and engaging way. Alongside dedicated lessons, learning is regularly reinforced through assemblies, educational visits, themed events and everyday experiences in school. Our Science curriculum also contributes to pupils’ understanding of health and wellbeing, including learning about the human body, healthy lifestyles, growth and development.
We encourage children to discuss topics respectfully and thoughtfully, using agreed class ground rules. Teachers use professional judgement when responding to questions and ensure discussions remain appropriate for the age and stage of the pupils.
Meeting the Needs of All Learners
Our curriculum is designed to be fully inclusive. Lessons can be adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring every child can access and engage with the learning.
Assessment
Teachers continually assess pupils' understanding through discussion, questioning, observation, retrieval activities, quizzes and reflections. This allows learning to be responsive and ensures children develop a secure understanding of the important concepts being taught.
Through our PSHE and RSE curriculum, we aim to help every child grow into a healthy, safe, respectful and confident young person who is well prepared for the opportunities and challenges of modern life.
Parental Access to Resources
Kapow PSHE and RSE curriculum long-term plan.pdfRSE_Parent_Guidance_Breakdown.pdfScience_Curriculum_progression_document.pdf
You may also find the following information helpful:
Parent information page: Kapow Parent Zone
Parent overview: RSE & PSHE Parent Overview