RSHE Framework Updates
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are writing to let you know about updates to the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) framework for primary-aged children, which come into effect from 1 September 2026.
Our school remains committed to providing children with a safe, age-appropriate and carefully considered curriculum which supports their personal development, relationships, wellbeing and ability to keep themselves safe.
The updated statutory guidance places a greater emphasis on transparency and communication with parents and carers. We want to ensure that you understand what your child will be learning, why it is being taught and how you can support conversations at home.
What will children learn?
At primary school, Relationships Education and Health Education remain statutory. This means that children are expected to receive this education as part of the school curriculum.
Topics may include:
- developing positive and respectful friendships and relationships;
- recognising and managing different feelings and emotions;
- understanding how to communicate appropriately and resolve disagreements;
- recognising unsafe or inappropriate behaviour and knowing how to seek help;
- understanding privacy, personal boundaries and the importance of consent;
- keeping safe online and understanding potential risks;
- physical and emotional changes as children grow and develop;
- puberty, including appropriate aspects of physical and emotional development;
- promoting physical health, mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.
We also include lessons around community and the core British Values which are; democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. Some of this learning will take place during assemblies.
Teaching will always take account of children’s age, developmental stage, individual needs and circumstances.
What about sex education?
It is important to distinguish between the statutory curriculum and additional sex education.
Relationships Education and Health Education are statutory at primary school. Parents and carers cannot withdraw their child from these statutory areas of the curriculum.
Where aspects of relationships, growing up or human development form part of the statutory science curriculum, these remain compulsory.
Greater transparency for parents and carers
The updated framework places increased emphasis on working openly with families.
We will therefore ensure that parents and carers have access to information about:
- what is taught within our RSHE curriculum;
- when key topics are taught;
- the purpose of the teaching;
- the resources and materials used to support RSHE lessons;
- any external organisations or providers involved in delivering RSHE;
- our arrangements concerning any additional sex education and the right to withdraw.
Parents and carers are welcome to ask questions about the curriculum and the resources used. We will continue to listen to parents’ views when reviewing and developing our RSHE provision.
Our aim is to ensure that there are no surprises for families and that parents and school can work together to support children’s learning and wellbeing.
As part of this, we will be showcasing some of the resources we use (Powerpoint slides) outside the classrooms during our upcoming parents’ evenings. As well as this, we will have the floorbooks (where we record examples of children’s work and thoughts) from the previous year available for you to look at.
Working together
We recognise that some RSHE topics can prompt questions or conversations at home. We want parents and carers to feel informed and supported in having these discussions with their children.
Our RSHE teaching will be delivered sensitively and appropriately, with children’s safety, wellbeing and dignity at the centre of our approach.
Further information about our RSHE curriculum and policy can be found on our school website. We will also provide parents and carers with further information about specific topics and resources where appropriate. This will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect the new updates.
If you have any questions about the updated RSHE framework or our school’s approach, please do not hesitate to contact us
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Farrell
Curriculum Lead
