Dear Parent/Carer,
From September 2020, schools have had to teach Relationships and Health Education.
You can read about these changes in this DfE guide for parents here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-sex-and-health-education-guides-for-schools. The DfE also strongly encourages primary schools to deliver sex education to help prepare children for their transition to secondary school.
The new guidance is simply about ensuring that all children get the information they need and want. The lessons will help children to learn about their bodies including the changes that take place at puberty, and will help keep them safe, so they can form healthy relationships (friendships) with others, now and in the future.
At our school we are using the leading children’s health and wellbeing charity, Coram Life Education (CLE) to support us in meeting these legal requirements but using Coram Life Education’s online SCARF teaching resources.
More information about Coram Life Education and SCARF can be found on their website:
Research shows that not delivering this vital education puts our children at greater risk of poor mental health. Current government Sex and Relationships Education guidance states that children should learn about puberty before they experience it, one of the reasons why making this subject statutory in all schools is so important. We also know that RSE has a protective factor when it comes to safeguarding children.
Research now shows that children with better health (including mental health) and wellbeing are likely to achieve better academically. By learning about positive relationships, respect for themselves and others, and behaving appropriately and safely online, they are better able to enjoy their friendships and therefore focus more at school.
We recognise that parents play a vital part in their child’s RSE, and we encourage you to discuss these themes with your child at home as well.
We will be holding our Healthy Living Week 5th – 9th July. All classes from Nursery to Year 6 will be taught lessons from the Growing and Changing theme. Lessons build on children’s knowledge and understanding year on year in an age appropriate way.
Year 6 parents may wish to opt out of the non-statutory element of the Growing and Changing unit. The Head of School must grant this request which you must apply for in writing. The science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction, which there is no right to withdraw from. All lessons are age-appropriate.
Parents are invited to attend a virtual consultation at 3.30pm on Tuesday 29th June. During this session lesson plans and resources for each year group will be shared. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Please click here to access the session via Microsoft Teams.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Fleming
Assistant Head of School
HRSE Lead
claire.fleming@teignmouthschool.co.uk