Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
At New Moston Primary School, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) forms an important part of our wider curriculum, safeguarding provision and commitment to preparing pupils for later life.
Our curriculum is designed to help children develop the knowledge and skills they need to build positive relationships, understand their health and wellbeing, recognise unsafe or harmful situations, seek help when needed and treat themselves and others with respect.
RSHE is taught in an age-appropriate, carefully sequenced and inclusive way from EYFS to Year 6.
Statutory Relationships and Health Education
Relationships Education is compulsory for all pupils receiving primary education and Health Education is compulsory in state-funded primary schools.
At primary school, statutory teaching includes areas such as:
- families and people who care for us;
- caring friendships;
- respectful and kind relationships;
- online relationships and safety;
- personal boundaries and keeping safe;
- physical health and fitness;
- mental wellbeing;
- healthy lifestyles;
- puberty and the changing adolescent body; and
- knowing how and where to seek help.
The Department for Education’s revised statutory guidance came into effect on 1 September 2026 and schools must have regard to it when developing and delivering their RSHE provision.
How RSHE is taught at New Moston
RSHE is delivered primarily through our planned PSHE curriculum using SCARF, a published scheme which is adopted by New Moston, with relevant learning also taking place through subjects including science, computing, physical education and religious education.
Learning is sequenced progressively so that children build their knowledge and protective skills over time. Teaching takes account of pupils’ age, stage of development and individual needs, including the needs of pupils with SEND.
We aim to ensure that pupils receive accurate, factual and appropriate teaching in a safe and respectful environment.
Sex education in primary school
Some learning about growth, puberty and reproduction forms part of statutory Relationships Education, Health Education and the National Curriculum for science.
Primary schools may also choose to provide sex education beyond these statutory requirements. The Department for Education recommends age-appropriate primary sex education in Year 5 and/or Year 6.
At New Moston, we are currently reviewing the precise content and organisation of our non-statutory sex education as part of our wider 2026 RSHE review.
Any non-statutory sex education will be clearly identified for parents, including what will be taught, when it will be taught and the resources that will be used.
Working with parents and carers
We recognise that parents and carers are important partners in RSHE.
We will provide clear information about:
- what is taught and when;
- which parts of the curriculum are statutory;
- any non-statutory sex education provided by the school;
- the resources used to support teaching; and
- parental rights in relation to withdrawal from non-statutory sex education.
The revised DfE guidance places a strong emphasis on transparency with parents. Schools should make RSHE materials available to parents and should ensure parents know about sex education content in advance.
Parents may request to view RSHE curriculum materials by contacting the school.
Parental right to withdraw
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their child from:
- Relationships Education;
- Health Education; or
- statutory National Curriculum science.
Where a primary school provides sex education beyond these statutory areas, parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from some or all of that non-statutory sex education. In primary schools, the Headteacher must grant such a request.
Further information about this process will be included within our revised RSHE Policy and shared with parents before non-statutory sex education is taught.
2026 policy review and parent consultation
Our RSHE Policy is currently being reviewed to reflect the revised Department for Education statutory guidance which came into effect on 1 September 2026.
As part of this process:
- the curriculum and policy are being reviewed against the revised statutory guidance;
- the Governing Body will have oversight of the revised policy;
- parents and carers will be formally consulted before the revised policy is approved; and
- the final approved policy and supporting curriculum information will be published on this page.
Parents will be given the opportunity to review the draft policy and curriculum information and provide feedback as part of the consultation process.
Parent consultation to follow.