Relationship and Health Education
Relationships, Sex & Health Education, known as RSHE is an integral part of our curriculum and is also woven through the very fabric of our school in our Christian ethos and church school character.
In line with the statutory expectations of the Department for Education’s Relationships and Health Education Policy, we want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain.
Our RSHE curriculum and teaching is designed to equip our pupils with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did when our adult community grew up. The new statutory curriculum introduced in September 2020 brings 21st century relevant lessons to our pupils, in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate, and sensitive to their needs and cultural or religious backgrounds.
We began teaching this new curriculum in September 2019 as a National Pilot School for the Department for Education and our Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher also led training on behalf of the DfE for schools and Local Authority staff from across the South East of England.
We use the PSHE Association plans and resources to teach our lessons across the whole school.
The law states that parents cannot withdraw their child from Relationships Education because it is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and how to stay safe. Our science curriculum, which is also statutory in all maintained schools includes content on huma
n development, including reproduction, which there is no right to withdraw from.
At Lamberhurst St Mary’s we have chosen not to teach the Non-Statutory Sex Education content.