Relationships Education and the teaching of PSHE interlocks perfectly with our curriculum intent and passionate beliefs at Newcomen Primary. Our Newcomen family share a collective positive outlook for all children. This being to live a happy and fulfilling life in which they strive to be the best version of themselves and become responsible citizens who play a positive role in modern day society.
The teaching of relationships education sits perfectly with the imperative message that comes from our intent – asking the question what do we aspire for the future of our children and how will we use relationships education to enhance and support our hopes for our children growing up in an ever changing modern world.
We are committed to promoting the importance of implementing the delivery of Relationships Education in order to support every child in becoming the best version of themselves in the twenty first century. We take pride in offering our children an education that when children leave Newcomen, it will be as a good global citizens playing a positive role in society.
The importance of Relationships Education
Relationships Education plays a fundamental role in providing children with the vital building blocks to foster pupil wellbeing and develop resilience and character. All aspects of this subject will support children on their journey to becoming happy, successful and productive members of society.
Children are now growing up in an increasingly complex world with an abundance of new challenges. In order for children to be safe and healthy in this ever changing environment, they need to be provided with an education that offers the skills to be able to make good choices and become good citizens.
Relationships Education will support staff in providing knowledge that will enable children at Newcomen to make informal decisions about their wellbeing.
The way in which we embrace the teaching of relationships education in school will marry closely with our curriculum intent devised together with the children and all the staff.
Alongside the curriculum guidance, it is also imperative to consult the Equality Act in order to ensure that all aspects outside of the specific areas mentioned in the curriculum are covered. As part of the Newcomen curriculum intent, we feel passionate about children becoming the best possible version of themselves. Therefore, helping develop each and every child as a whole child lies at the heart of the teaching of relationships education. The conventions of courtesy and manners , understanding of different races, religions and backgrounds work side-by-side with all aspects of the statutory curriculum content in developing as a good citizen.
JIGSAW
The PSHE scheme of work (Jigsaw) carefully links together all statutory aspects linked to the curriculum guidance, including Relationships Education, Health Education, Wellbeing, SMSC AND British Values. The scheme makes clear links with the statutory guidance and the specified themes that are to be taught and focused on.Teaching of Relationships Education will include:
1.Families of people who care for us
Children will be taught about the characteristics of a healthy family and how relationships work. It is important that children can identify if something is not right within their family unit in order to keep them safe. The children will discuss how families can look different within their own school and the wider world. Respect and understanding of this is imperative.
2.Caring friendships
The importance of friendships and what is considered a healthy and happy one. It is important for the children to gain a grasp on the characteristics of friendship including mutual respect, truthfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness, generosity, trust, sharing interests and experiences and support with problems and difficulties
3.Respectful relationships
Much of this theme will be centred around respect – that towards others and self – respect. The importance of respecting others regardless of differences will be highlighted. At the forefront of respectful relationships lies the conventions of courtesy and manners. Children at Newcomen are insisted upon to use manners and be respectful around school. Staff are relentless in the modelling of such positive behaviours.
4.Online relationships
The children will be taught how it is important to discriminate between the real and online world. Children need to be clear on how different relationships can look very different online and people can behave very differently. In order to stay safe online, children need to understand the principles and rules on being online.
5.Being safe
As part of the scheme of work, sessions will be delivered on how the children can keep themselves safe. This will include understanding one’s own feelings, how to report when a feeling of being unsafe arises.
When will Relationships Education be delivered?
Relationships Education will be part of a whole school PSHE scheme of work that will encompass all aspects including relationships, health and well- being and SMSC.
The sessions will be taught by the class teacher as it is the consistent adult in the class and it is important that the member of staff knows the children well enough to ensure trust.
Answering difficult questions as they arise.
During any PSHE session or focused sessions on relationships education, it is highly likely that spontaneous questions will arise. The scheme of work will support staff in feeling secure and confident with their responses. All teaching will be sensitive to the needs and age of the children, taking into account the different family units and experiences the children are used to. It will be important to consider whether or not some questions may be best answered as a whole class or individually depending on the nature of the questions or the age of the children in the class.
The role of parents and carers.
As at school, we pride ourselves in the positive relationships we have with our parents and carers. It is important that parents are well informed of what relationships education involves and how it will be delivered in school. To achieve this partnership within the subject, building a sense of trust and mutual understanding is paramount.
Under the current statutory guidance, parents of children in school will not be able to opt their child out of the teaching of any aspects of relationships education.
All children are entitled to and should receive age appropriate lessons on safe and healthy relationships.
In order to ensure this, we will:
- Ensure this policy is on the school website and easily accessed
- Invite parents of our children into school to attend an informative consultation meeting about the subject
- Answer any questions that parents/carers may have about relationships education
- Take seriously any issue that parents raise with teachers or governors about this policy or the arrangements for the subject in the school
- When we engage parents, we will provide examples of the resources they plan to use, for example the books they will use in lessons.
LGBT
Fostering respect for different types of relationships is part of this subject. It is essential that children are educated about healthy relationships regardless of the form or type. During their time in primary, our children should be part of teaching of LGBT content. LGBT content will arise in the teaching of different types of families and as a primary school, we are encouraged and enabled to cover this. All coverage of LGBT will be delivered in a relaxed atmosphere and in a way that is sensitive and respectful of all.
In order to prepare children for life in modern Britain and the world, discussing issues around LGBT families is an essential part of their understanding.
‘Schools should be alive to issues such as everyday sexism, misogyny, homophobia and gender stereotypes and take positive action to maintain a culture where these are not tolerated, and any occurrences are identified and tackled. Staff have an important role to play in modelling positive behaviours. School pastoral and behaviour policies should support all pupils.’
The role of other members of the community
We encourage other valued members of the community to work with us to provide advice and support to the children and parents with regard to health education. In particular, members of the Local Health Authority. The school will plan in visits from school nurse to deliver aspects linked to sex education and puberty. School will signpost families to appropriate agencies to support with mental health issues.
At Newcomen Primary School, we believe in a whole school approach and linking RE to the fundamental school ethos and values. We cover a range of topics to prepare pupils for challenges and responsibilities they will face their throughout their lives.
At Newcomen Primary, our pupils are given many opportunities to develop confidence and self-motivation in a range of different ways. Personal, social and health education is not only taught through lessons but through many aspects of our school life.
- We promote and enhance self- esteem and self- belief through a weekly celebration assembly.
- School council enables children to gain a greater understanding of rights and responsibilities. It allows our pupils to have a voice and express their opinions and beliefs knowing their opinions are valued.
- RE also links closely with other subjects such as science and physical education, where the children learn about keeping healthy and looking after their bodies. Along with Religious Education, PSHE promotes work with the community supporting many charities.
