Contents
What the RSE curriculum covers
How RSE fits with PSHE and RSHE
Relationships education across primary school

Friendships, belonging and respectful behaviour
Family structures and belonging
Boundaries, privacy and body safety
Why relationships education matters across the curriculum
Whole-school RSE, RSHE and PSHE planning
Defining the subject clearly for staff and families
Building a coherent scheme of work
How RSE connects with wider PSHE and wellbeing
Using a whole-school approach
Statutory requirements and compliance
What statutory guidance does and does not prescribe
Parent communication and transparency
Safeguarding and sensitive questions
Staying current and reviewing practice
Year 6 sex education and transition readiness

What pupils in Year 6 usually need
Secondary transition changes the context
Review Year 6 as part of the whole sequence
How to build progression without overlap or gaps
A practical progression framework
How schools can strengthen progression
Implementation risks schools can avoid
A simple decision framework for choosing your next step

Where to go next
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RSE curriculum in primary schools?
In primary schools, RSE is commonly used as shorthand for planned teaching about relationships, safety, health, bodies and growing up. Formally, Relationships Education is compulsory for all pupils receiving primary education, Health Education is compulsory in state-funded schools and science covers related body and puberty content. Schools may also choose to teach additional sex education.
Is RSE statutory in primary schools?
RSE is not the formal statutory primary subject name. Relationships Education is compulsory for all primary pupils. Health Education is compulsory in state-funded schools. Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, although the revised guidance recommends teaching it in Years 5 and/or 6.
What is the difference between RSE, RSHE and PSHE?
RSE means Relationships and Sex Education. RSHE is the collective term for Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education. PSHE is a broader curriculum area that often includes the statutory subjects alongside economic wellbeing, citizenship and wider personal development.
Do primary schools have to teach sex education?
No. Primary sex education is not compulsory. The revised guidance recommends that schools teach it in Years 5 and/or 6, but the school decides whether to provide it. Related science content and statutory Relationships Education and Health Education remain compulsory where applicable.
Can parents withdraw their child from primary RSE?
Parents cannot withdraw their child from Relationships Education, Health Education or science. They may request withdrawal from some or all additional primary sex education, and the headteacher must grant the request. The school should provide appropriate, purposeful education during the period of withdrawal.
What should an RSE scheme of work include?
It should map learning by year group, show progression, identify statutory outcomes, explain links with science and distinguish additional sex education. It should also support pupils with SEND, align with safeguarding and give teachers enough guidance to deliver sensitive content consistently.
How early should primary schools start relationships education?
Relationships Education should begin from the start of primary education. Early learning should be age appropriate and may include kindness, feelings, family life, personal space, trusted adults and simple safety rules. These foundations prepare pupils for more complex learning later.
What topics are taught in primary Relationships Education?
The statutory areas are families and people who care for pupils, caring friendships, respectful relationships, online relationships and being safe. The revised guidance adds detail around loneliness, conflict, assertiveness, boundaries, stereotypes, harmful relationships and reporting concerns.
How does RSE connect with safeguarding?
RSE gives pupils language for privacy, body safety, trusted adults and help-seeking and may support earlier recognition or disclosure of harm. Teaching supports but does not replace safeguarding procedures. Any disclosure, concerning question or strong reaction should be recorded and reported in line with the school’s safeguarding policy, including to the designated safeguarding lead.
What should schools tell parents about RSE lessons?
Parents should receive clear information about content, timing, which elements are statutory and any additional sex education. Schools should show a representative sample of resources, make all RSHE curriculum materials available to view on request and explain how questions, external providers and withdrawal rights are handled.
Should RSE be taught in separate lessons or through the wider curriculum?
A practical model is to use planned lessons supported by wider school practice. Dedicated lessons make coverage and progression visible, while classroom routines, assemblies, reading, pastoral work and behaviour expectations reinforce learning. Wider provision should support, not replace, the planned curriculum.
What makes a primary RSE curriculum age appropriate?
Content should match pupils’ age, stage, prior knowledge and needs while remaining accurate. Age-appropriate does not mean delaying essential safeguarding or puberty knowledge. It means careful sequencing, clear vocabulary, suitable examples and appropriate adjustments so that pupils with SEND can access the learning.
Does Year 6 need a different approach?
Year 6 should consolidate earlier learning about puberty, relationships, safety and help-seeking while preparing pupils for secondary school and increased exposure to misinformation. It should not carry the whole curriculum. Where a school provides additional sex education, the revised guidance recommends teaching it in Year 5 and/or Year 6.
How often should schools review their RSE curriculum?
An annual alignment check is useful, supported by fuller reviews when statutory guidance changes, a scheme is replaced, staff confidence is weak or pupil needs shift. Leaders should compare the written curriculum with what is actually taught.
How does science fit into the primary RSE curriculum?
Science provides related biological knowledge, including external body parts, growth from birth to old age, puberty and reproduction in plants and animals. Maintained schools must follow the national curriculum programmes of study. Academies must teach science but are not required to follow the national curriculum.
Key takeaways
Conclusion
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