Values and attitudes

• Develop self-esteem

• Value themselves and others, recognising and respecting others’ ideas and views

• Understand the importance of respect, love, and care within friendships, relationships, and within the family unit

Equal opportunities

It is intended that the academy’s RSHE policy and programme will reflect the ethos of the academy, by providing a secure, inclusive, non-judgemental environment in which to learn. Therefore, no child or family will be discriminated against on grounds of race, gender, health, ability or sexuality. The policy and content will comply with LA and government guidance.

Young people have varying needs regarding RSHE depending on their circumstances and background.  At Westerings Primary Academy we believe that all pupils should have access to RSHE that is relevant to their particular needs.  

To achieve this, the school’s approach to RSHE takes account of:

• The needs of boys as well as girls;

• Ethnic and cultural diversity;

• Varying home backgrounds, ensuring no stigmatisation of pupils based on their home circumstances;

• Sensitive, honest and balanced consideration of sexuality and a duty to deal with homophobic bullying; (fostering gender equality and LGBT+ equality)

• Special educational need or disability

Knowledge and understanding

• Understand that there are a number of different relationships and be able to recognise positive relationships

• Have an understanding of safe and unsafe situations, and the right to feel and be safe

• Have the correct terminology to talk about their bodies

• Be able to keep themselves clean and healthy

• Be aware of their own bodies and understand and be prepared for the physical and emotional changes that happen to them as they grow up

• Understand how babies are conceived and develop

• Have an understanding of the responsibilities of parenthood

Skills

• Keep themselves safe and be able to ask for help in the different situations they may face

• Use knowledge and skills to make informed choices

• Have the communication and negotiation skills they need to act upon the choices they make

• Have the skills necessary to deal with situations involving peer pressure

• Form positive relationships

Emotional Understanding

• Understand, talk about, and deal positively with their emotions, feelings and beliefs, and those of others

Moral and Values framework

• We work together to create an environment where every child and adult feels safe, happy, and valued. 

• We support children to become more motivated, responsible, independent and self-disciplined members of society with respect for their multi-cultural environment

• We believe that the RSHE programme in the academy supports our values and ethos

The RSE Curriculum

RSE is based within Science and Personal Social and Health Education. Any topics covered as part of the science curriculum are statutory. 

At Westerings Primary Academy the RSE programme is delivered as part of our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum by our teachers. Westerings Primary Academy use the ‘Christopher Winter Project’ to teach RSE. Additional quality assured resources, sourced from the PSHE Association, are also used to support in the teaching of this.

The RSHE programme is linked to the PSHE Scheme of work (PSHE Association) which includes Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning and aims to develop three main elements: 

• Attitudes and values;

• Personal and social skills;

• Knowledge and understanding.

We believe that if the programme is successful it will help young people to respect themselves and others and move with confidence from childhood through adolescence into adulthood. The overarching objectives for PSHE and RSE include:

Objectives in Key Stage 1:

• To identify the qualities of a good friend and an awareness of how their behaviour and feelings can affect those around them.

• Use simple rules for dealing with strangers and for resisting pressure when they feel uncomfortable or at risk. 

• To recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others and treat others with sensitivity.

• Be able to name the parts of the body, understand the concept of male/boy and female/girl and the processes of growing from young to old.

Objectives in Key Stage 2:

• • Use simple rules for dealing with strangers and for resisting pressure when they feel uncomfortable or at risk. 

  •  To distinguish between the rights and wrongs of a range of behaviours and actions; to recognise consequences and how they can take responsibility for solving problems.

  • To know and understand about keeping themselves safe when involved in risky activities.

  •  To develop empathy and an awareness of the range and diversity of relationships, including different lifestyles and cultures.

  • To know how to cope with the physical and emotional changes going on inside and outside their bodies through puberty.

  • To understand aspects of human reproduction: menstruation and fertilisation.

For the full outline of the RSHE objectives taught in individual year groups, please see the RSHE Subject Overview below.