RSE at Bracken Edge

In 2019, the Department for Education (DfE) published new guidance about changes to the PSHE curriculum, which schools must implement and comply to. The Health Education and Relationships Education aspects of PSHE are now statutory in all primary schools. This covers broad areas of particular relevance and concern to children and young people in today's modern world. It ensures that every child is guaranteed a PSHE education that covers mental health and wellbeing, physical health (including healthy lifestyles and first aid) and learn about safe and healthy relationships.

Following our consultation process this year, we have taken on board feedback from parents, students, staff and governors and have updated our Relationships and Sex Education policy to take into account the new statutory changes. 

As in previous years, and in line with government guidance, we will continue teaching elements of sex education in an age-appropriate way. High quality RSE helps to safeguard our children and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves. We believe it is our collective responsibility to ensure our children grow up happy and healthy. 

WHAT IS RSE ?

Here at Bracken Edge, we believe that RSE is:

• A lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional
  development.
• About the understanding of the importance of
  marriage for family life, stable and loving relationships,
  respect, love and care.
• It is also about the teaching of puberty, menstruation and
  the changing adolescent body (Health Education)
• It is NOT about the promotion of sexual orientation or
  sexual activity – this would be inappropriate teaching.

WHY IS RSE IMPORTANT?

•  Helps to create a safe school community
• Prepares children for the physical and emotional changes they
  will undergo as they grow older
• Helps pupils keep themselves safe from harm, both on and offline
• Plays a vital part in meeting schools safeguarding obligations
  ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (Children's Act 2004)

RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION (RE)

• Families and people who care for me
• Caring friendships
• Respectful relationships
• Online relationships
• Being safe

HEALTH EDUCATION (HE)

• Mental Wellbeing
• Internet safety and harms
• Physical health and fitness
• Healthy Eating
• Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Health and prevention – sun safety, oral health, immunisations
• Basic first aid
• Changing adolescent body

You can find the DfE statutory guidance and our updated RSE policy below.