RSHE
Dear Year 5 families,
We believe that promoting the health and well-being of our pupils is an important part of their overall education. We do this through our personal, social, health and emotional (PSHE) curriculum. PSHE covers many topics including all kinds of relationships, physical/emotional health and the skills needed to live in the wider world. The aim of our PSHE curriculum is to help pupils make safe and informed decisions during their school years and beyond.
Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) is the statutory element of our PSHE curriculum and all schools in England are required to teach Relationships and Health Education. We will be teaching lessons about RSHE/RHE as in the last part of this term which will include topics such as puberty and body changes, periods, wet dreams and masturbation and making babies. During these lessons, pupils will be able to ask questions, which will be answered factually in an age-appropriate manner. Each pupil's privacy will be respected, and no one will be asked to reveal personal information.
Relationships, Sex and Health Education is a statutory subject and although parents can withdraw their child from the sex education element, we want to assure parents that our curriculum is taught in an age-appropriate manner and provides pupils with the time to ask questions in a safe environment and ultimately receive factual information, rather than hearing content second hand or via online platforms. In the 21st century, pupils are exposed to so many incorrect messages about their bodies, relationships and expectations. The prevalence of sexual images in social and other media makes it important that all young people have a place to discuss pressures, check facts, dispel myths and ultimately feel safe.
Please note, the year 5 science curriculum will also teach the biological aspects of puberty this term and there is no option to withdraw pupils from these lessons.
RSHE is a carefully planned curriculum and is there to ensure our pupils can navigate the world around them safely. An un-informed child is often a child left vulnerable and we want to empower our pupils here at Compton. We have attached the lesson plans, and teacher help sheets for how to respond in an age-appropriate way if questions arise and there are other online resources which if you wish to view can be accessed in school on Tuesday 12th June at 3:20 - 3:45. Please let us know using the year 5 email address if you would like to come in.
Parents and carers are the most important educators of children and young people in personal issues and many welcome the support that schools can offer to supplement their home teaching.
You may find that your child starts asking questions about the topic at home, or you might want to take the opportunity to talk to your child about issues before the work is covered in school. If you have any queries about the content of the programme or resources used, please do not hesitate in contacting me at school. Lesson plans have been sent to you along with the teacher fact sheets for if questions arise and how we plan to answer them, there are also interactive whiteboard materials which can be made available for you to browse should you wish to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Year 5 team