As part of our children's education at Waterside Primary Academy, we aim to promote personal development and wellbeing through a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme. The Department for Education has announced changes to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) statutory guidance. These changes will come into effect from Summer 2021 and all schools will be required to comply with the updated requirements. Both Health and Relationships Education will be statutory in primary schools. The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world.

In light of these changes, we have reviewed our PSHE curriculum and policy so we can be sure our provision is appropriate for our pupils based on their age, physical and emotional maturity, religious and cultural backgrounds and special educational needs.

To help ensure our PSHE curriculum incorporates not only the statutory guidance, but also our pupil’s needs, we are consulted parents on our policy. All parents and carers were supportive of the changes to the policy, with 100% of responses agreeing that the content of the programme was robust and clear. Parents and carers also commented that they would like support and guidance on how they can support the delivery of this subject at home. We will hold further Parent Partnership Meetings in the new year when COVID-19 regulations allow. 

To help you understand the programme that we will follow, we have attached many key documents below. These include:

• PSHE policy including statutory guidance
• Jigsaw 3-11 and statutory Relationships and Health Education (mapping document)
• Including and valuing all children. What does Jigsaw teach about LGBTQ relationships?
• What is Jigsaw? A guide for parents and carers
• How does Jigsaw approach these subjects? A guide for parents and carers
• Jigsaw 3-11 content overview

What is taught and how, is ultimately a decision for the school and we are legally required to teach the new statutory guidance. The right to withdraw your child from a small number of lessons is explained in the draft PSHE policy.

We really value your views and feedback and will respond with the outcome of the consultation process later this term. Once we have considered all feedback the draft PSHE policy will be ratified by the governing body and you will receive a copy of the final policy and it will be published on the school website.

PSHE Lead: Mrs K Robinson
Contact: KRobinson@watersideprimaryacademy.org