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PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education and Relationships Sex and Health)

Policy details

Date created - 01/09/2025
Date approved - 30/09/2025
Next review date - 30/09/2026
Policy owner - Shirley Carrigan

Intent

Here, at Co-op Academy Grove, we value PSHE as one way to support children’s development as human beings, to enable them to understand and respect who they are, to empower them with a voice and to equip them for life and learning. We include the statutory Relationships and Health Education within our whole-school PSHE Programme. Our PSHE policy is informed by existing DfE guidance, which can be seen within the appendix.

“The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019, made under sections 34 and 35 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, make Relationships Education compulsory for all pupils receiving primary education…”

DfE Guidance p.8

“Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.”

“In primary schools, we want the subjects to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online. This will sit alongside the essential understanding of how to be healthy. The knowledge and attributes gained will support their own, and others’ wellbeing and attainment and help young people to become successful and happy adults who make a meaningful contribution to society.”

Secretary of State Foreword DfE Guidance 2019 p.4-5

Health Education

Health Education in primary schools will cover ‘Mental wellbeing’, ‘Internet safety and harms’, ‘Physical health and fitness’, ‘Healthy eating’, ‘Drugs, alcohol and tobacco’ (see PSHE policy for further details of this), ‘Health and prevention’, ‘Basic First Aid’, ‘Changing adolescent body’.

Also, teaching children about puberty is now a statutory requirement which sits within the Health Education part of the DfE guidance within the ‘Changing adolescent body’ strand, and in Jigsaw this is taught as part of the Changing Me Puzzle (unit).

Sex Education

The DfE Guidance 2019 (p.23) recommends that all primary schools ‘have a sex education programme tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the pupils. However, ‘Sex Education is not compulsory in primary schools’. (p.23)

At Co-op Academy Grove, we believe children should understand the facts about human reproduction before they leave primary school because it is crucial for children's healthy development, teaching them about healthy relationships, personal safety, and puberty, all while fostering a positive and informed approach to the changes their bodies will go through during adolescence.

We define Sex Education as understanding human reproduction (this may include sexual intercourse, conception, pregnancy and birth). We intend to teach this as part of the PSHE and Science curriculums. Some content covered in PSHE is possible for parents to withdraw their child from (see appendix for further details).

Implementation

Whole-school approach

To ensure progression and a spiral curriculum, we use Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, as our chosen teaching and learning programme and tailor it to children’s needs. Jigsaw covers all areas of PSHE curriculum for the primary phase including statutory Relationships and Health Education. The table below gives the learning theme of each of the six Puzzles (units) and these are taught across the school; the learning deepens and broadens every year.

Term	Puzzle (Unit)	Content
Autumn 1:	Being Me in My World	Includes understanding my own identity and how I fit well in the class, school and global community.
Autumn 2:	Celebrating Difference	Includes anti-bullying (cyber and homophobic bullying included) and understanding.
Spring 1:	Dreams and Goals	Includes goal-setting, aspirations, who do I want to become and what would I like to do for work and to contribute to society.
Spring 2:	Healthy Me	Includes drugs and alcohol education, self-esteem and confidence as well as healthy lifestyle choices, sleep, nutrition, rest and exercise.
Summer 1:	Relationships	Includes understanding friendship, family and other relationships, conflict resolution and communication skills, bereavement and loss.
Summer 2:	Changing Me	Includes Relationships and Sex Education in the context of coping positively with change.

It is important to explain that whilst the Healthy Me Puzzle (unit) in Jigsaw covers most of the statutory Health Education, some of the outcomes are taught elsewhere in Jigsaw e.g. emotional and mental health is nurtured every lesson through the ‘Calm me’ time, social skills are grown every lesson through the ‘Connect us’ activity and respect is enhanced through the use of the Jigsaw Charter.

Furthermore, whilst the Relationships Puzzle (unit) in Jigsaw covers most of the statutory Relationships Education, some of the outcomes are also taught elsewhere in Jigsaw e.g. the Celebrating Difference Puzzle helps children appreciate that there are many types of family composition and that each is important to the children involved. This holistic approach ensures the learning is reinforced through the year and across the curriculum.

The mapping document: Jigsaw 3-11 and statutory Relationships and Health Education, shows exactly how Jigsaw and therefore our school, meets the statutory Relationships and Health Education requirements. This programme’s complimentary update policy ensures we are always using the most up to date teaching materials and that our teachers are well-supported.

Impact

Relationships Education

What does the DfE statutory guidance on Relationships Education expect children to know by the time they leave primary school?

Relationships Education in primary schools will cover ‘Families and people who care for me’, ‘Caring friendships’, ‘Respectful relationships’, ‘Online relationships’, and ‘Being safe’.

The expected outcomes for each of these elements can be found within the appendix. The way the Jigsaw Programme covers these is explained in the mapping document: Jigsaw 3-11 and Statutory Relationships and Health Education.

Sex Education

What will children know by the time they leave primary school?

By introducing puberty in an age-appropriate manner, children are better prepared for the physical and emotional changes they will experience. We believe that sex education in primary school can help children develop critical thinking skills, allowing them to make informed decisions about their health and relationships as they grow. We also believe that a robust curriculum offer will ensure that children are provided with accurate information about sexual health, helping to dispel myths and misconceptions that children may encounter elsewhere.

Health Education

What will children know by the time they leave primary school?

By the end of Year 6, we want our children to have a foundational understanding of both physical and mental health, including healthy eating habits, the importance of exercise, and how to recognise and manage emotions. They should also know how to stay safe online and recognise the risks associated with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Additionally, they need to understand basic first aid and the changes associated with puberty.

Appendix 1: Parents’ right to request their child be excused from Sex Education

“Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory Relationships and Sex Education.” DfE Guidance p.17

At Co-op Academy Grove, puberty is taught as a statutory requirement of Health Education and covered by our Jigsaw PSHE Programme in the ‘Changing Me’ Puzzle (unit). We conclude that sex education refers to Human Reproduction, and therefore inform parents of their right to request their child be withdrawn from the PSHE lessons that explicitly teach this i.e. the Jigsaw Changing Me Puzzle (unit) e.g.

Year 4, Lesson 2 (Having a baby)
Year 5, Lesson 4 (Conception)
Year 6, Lesson 3 (Conception, birth)

The school will inform parents of this right by sending out a parent communication on Class Dojo during the Spring Term before the Changing Me Puzzle is taught. We would encourage any parents who have concerns to speak to the class teacher prior to the content being taught.

Appendix 2: Further information on guidance that has informed the Jigsaw Curriculum

Keeping Children Safe in Education (statutory guidance)
Respectful School Communities Self-Review and Signposting Tool (educateagainsthate.com) (a tool to support a whole school approach that promotes respect and discipline)
Behaviour and Discipline in Schools (advice for schools, including advice for appropriate behaviour between pupils)
Equality Act 2010 and schools
SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years (statutory guidance)
Alternative Provision (statutory guidance)
Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools (advice for schools)
Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education. (NICE guidance)
Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges (guidance for schools and colleges)
Preventing and Tackling Bullying (advice for schools, including advice on cyberbullying)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission Advice and Guidance (provides advice on avoiding discrimination in a variety of educational contexts)
Promoting Fundamental British Values as part of SMSC in schools (guidance for maintained schools on promoting basic important British values as part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC)
SMSC requirements for independent schools (guidance for independent schools on how they should support pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development).

The Jigsaw Programme is aligned to the PSHE Association Programmes of Study for PSHE

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Relationships Education in Primary schools (Appendix) – DfE Guidance 2019

The focus in primary school should be on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults. The references R3/H5 etc can be cross-referenced on the Jigsaw mapping documents and Puzzle Maps to show which lessons throughout Jigsaw contribute to which statutory outcomes. All statutory outcomes are covered in the Jigsaw 3-11 Programme.

The guidance states that, by the end of primary school:

	Pupils should know…	How Jigsaw provides the solution
Families and people who care for me	R1 that families are important for children growing up because they can give love, security and stability. R2 the characteristics of healthy family life, commitment to each other, including in times of difficulty, protection and care for children and other family members, the importance of spending time together and sharing each other’s lives. R3 that others’ families, either in school or in the wider world, sometimes look different from their family, but that they should respect those differences and know that other children’s families are also characterised by love and care. R4 that stable, caring relationships, which may be of different types, are at the heart of happy families, and are important for children’s security as they grow up. R5 that marriage represents a formal and legally recognised commitment of two people to each other which is intended to be lifelong (Marriage in England and Wales is available to both opposite sex and same sex couples. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 extended marriage to same sex couples in England and Wales. The ceremony through which a couple get married may be civil or religious). R6 how to recognise if family relationships are making them feel unhappy or unsafe, and how to seek help or advice from others if needed	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Relationships Changing Me Celebrating Difference Being Me in My World
Caring friendships	R7 how important friendships are in making us feel happy and secure, and how people choose and make friends R8 the characteristics of friendships, including mutual respect, truthfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness, generosity, trust, sharing interests and experiences and support with problems and difficulties R9 that healthy friendships are positive and welcoming towards others and do not make others feel lonely or excluded R10 that most friendships have ups and downs, and that these can often be worked through so that the friendship is repaired or even strengthened, and that resorting to violence is never right R11 how to recognise who to trust and who not to trust, how to judge when a friendship is making them feel unhappy or uncomfortable, managing conflict, how to manage these situations and how to seek help and advice from others, if needed	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Being Me in My World Celebrating Difference Relationships
Respectful relationships	R12 the importance of respecting others, even when they are very different from them (for example, physically, in character, personality or backgrounds), or make different choices or have different preferences or beliefs R13 practical steps they can take in a range of different contexts to improve or support respectful relationships R14 the conventions of courtesy and manners R15 the importance of self-respect and how this links to their own happiness R16 that in school and in wider society they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and that in turn they should show due respect to others, including those in positions of authority R17 about different types of bullying (including cyberbullying), the impact of bullying, responsibilities of bystanders (primarily reporting bullying to an adult) and how to get help R18 what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes can be unfair, negative or destructive R19 the importance of permission-seeking and giving in relationships with friends, peers and adults	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Being Me in My World Celebrating Difference Dreams and Goals Healthy Me Relationships Changing Me
Online relationships	R20 that people sometimes behave differently online, including by pretending to be someone they are not. R21 that the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others online including when we are anonymous. R22 the rules and principles for keeping safe online, how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact, and how to report them. R23 how to critically consider their online friendships and sources of information including awareness of the risks associated with people they have never met. R24 how information and data is shared and used online.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Relationships Changing Me Celebrating Difference
Being safe	R25what sorts of boundaries are appropriate in friendships with peers and others (including in a digital context). R26 about the concept of privacy and the implications of it for both children and adults; including that it is not always right to keep secrets if they relate to being safe. R27 that each person’s body belongs to them, and the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe physical, and other, contact. R28 how to respond safely and appropriately to adults they may encounter (in all contexts, including online) whom they do not know. R29 how to recognise and report feelings of being unsafe or feeling bad about any adult. R30 how to ask for advice or help for themselves or others, and to keep trying until they are heard, R31 how to report concerns or abuse, and the vocabulary and confidence needed to do so. R32 where to get advice e.g. family, school and/or other sources.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Relationships Changing Me Celebrating Difference

Physical health and mental well-being education in Primary schools – DfE Guidance

The focus in primary school should be on teaching the characteristics of good physical health and mental wellbeing. Teachers should be clear that mental well-being is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health.

By the end of primary school:

	Pupils should know	How Jigsaw provides the solution
Mental wellbeing	H1 that mental wellbeing is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health. H2 that there is a normal range of emotions (e.g. happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, nervousness) and scale of emotions that all humans experience in relation to different experiences and situations. H3 how to recognise and talk about their emotions, including having a varied vocabulary of words to use when talking about their own and others’ feelings. H4 how to judge whether what they are feeling and how they are behaving is appropriate and proportionate. H5 the benefits of physical exercise, time outdoors, community participation, voluntary and service-based activity on mental well-being and happiness. H6 simple self-care techniques, including the importance of rest, time spent with friends and family and the benefits of hobbies and interests. H7 isolation and loneliness can affect children and that it is very important for children to discuss their feelings with an adult and seek support. H8 that bullying (including cyberbullying) has a negative and often lasting impact on mental well-being. H9 where and how to seek support (including recognising the triggers for seeking support), including whom in school they should speak to if they are worried about their own or someone else’s mental well-being or ability to control their emotions (including issues arising online). H10 it is common for people to experience mental ill health. For many people who do, the problems can be resolved if the right support is made available, especially if accessed early enough.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me Relationships Changing Me Celebrating Difference
Internet safety and harms	H11 that for most people the internet is an integral part of life and has many benefits. H12 about the benefits of rationing time spent online, the risks of excessive time spent on electronic devices and the impact of positive and negative content online on their own and others’ mental and physical wellbeing. H13 how to consider the effect of their online actions on others and knowhow to recognise and display respectful behaviour online and the importance of keeping personal information private. H14 why social media, some computer games and online gaming, for example, are age restricted. H15 that the internet can also be a negative place where online abuse, trolling, bullying and harassment can take place, which can have a negative impact on mental health. H16 how to be a discerning consumer of information online including understanding that information, including that from search engines, is ranked, selected and targeted. H17 where and how to report concerns and get support with issues online.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Relationships Healthy Me
Physical health and fitness	H18 the characteristics and mental and physical benefits of an active lifestyle. H19 the importance of building regular exercise into daily and weekly routines and how to achieve this; for example, walking or cycling to school, a daily active mile or other forms of regular, vigorous exercise. H20 the risks associated with an inactive lifestyle (including obesity). H21 how and when to seek support including which adults to speak to in school if they are worried about their health.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me
Healthy eating	H22 what constitutes a healthy diet (including understanding calories and other nutritional content). H23 the principles of planning and preparing a range of healthy meals. H24 the characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including, for example, obesity and tooth decay) and other behaviours (e.g. the impact of alcohol on diet or health).	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco	H25 the facts about legal and illegal harmful substances and associated risks, including smoking, alcohol use and drug-taking	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me
Health and prevention	H26 how to recognise early signs of physical illness, such as weight loss, or unexplained changes to the body. H27 about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. H28 the importance of sufficient good quality sleep for good health and that a lack of sleep can affect weight, mood and ability to learn. H29 about dental health and the benefits of good oral hygiene and dental flossing, including regular check-ups at the dentist. H30 about personal hygiene and germs including bacteria, viruses, how they are spread and treated, and the importance of handwashing. H31 the facts and science relating to immunisation and vaccination	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me
Basic first aid	H32 how to make a clear and efficient call to emergency services if necessary. H33 concepts of basic first-aid, for example dealing with common injuries, including head injuries.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Healthy Me
Changing adolescent body	H34 key facts about puberty and the changing adolescent body, particularly from age 9 through to age 11, including physical and emotional changes. H35 about menstrual wellbeing including the key facts about the menstrual cycle.	All of these aspects are covered in lessons within the Puzzles Changing Me Healthy Me