At Semley, we nurture our children, guiding and supporting them as they explore their understanding of the world and themselves. Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) are an integral part of our children’s education, and dedicated time is given each week.

The Government states ‘PSHE is a non-statutory subject in schools, focusing on the development of pupils' personal, social, health and economic skills. RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) is a statutory requirement in schools, emphasizing the importance of relationships and sexual health education for all pupils. PSHE covers a wide range of topics, including health, relationships, and economic skills. RSE is compulsory for all primary and secondary school pupils, focusing on relationships and sex education. Schools are encouraged to tailor their PSHE programs to reflect the needs of their pupils, while RSE must adhere to statutory guidance. In summary, PSHE is broader, while RSE is a specific aspect of PSHE that is legally required in schools.’

Our Vision & Statutory Compliance

Guided by a unified vision, we lead by example to help children respect themselves and others as they grow into resilient, confident, and thriving individuals. We place a deep commitment to nurturing both physical and emotional wellbeing, fully aligning our practice with the updated Department for Education RSHE guidelines released in July 2025 for implementation in September 2026.

The SCARF Curriculum Framework

To deliver this vision, our teachers follow the SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) scheme of work by Coram Life Education. Centred on a values-based and ‘Growth Mindset’ approach, SCARF's resources actively promote positive behaviour, mental health, and personal achievement.

SCARF lesson plans are mapped to the PSHE Association’s Programmes of Study, covering three core themes across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2:

- Health and Wellbeing

- Relationships

- Living in the Wider World

Termly Coverage Structure –

To ensure consistent progression, these core themes are broken down into six main areas for systematic, termly delivery throughout the academic year:

Autumn 1: Me and My Relationships – Focusing on feelings, communication, and building positive friendships. Along aide our Anti-bullying Week.

Autumn 2: Valuing Difference – Celebrating diversity, developing empathy, and rejecting bullying.

Spring 1: Keeping Safe – Teaching children to identify risks, manage safe/unsafe situations, and use technology responsibly.

Spring 2: Rights and Respect – Exploring duties, money management, and caring for the local environment.

Summer 1: Being My Best – Cultivating a Growth Mindset, healthy eating habits, and personal goal-setting.

Summer 2: Growing and Changing – Navigating emotional shifts, anatomical changes, and preparing for future transition stages.

For further information please see PDF document – ‘Information for Parents – What is Taught and When’ on our PSHE page.

 

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the Early Years, we aim to cultivate independent and resilient individuals who have a secure understanding of their own well-being, feelings, and personal needs. To ensure deep engagement, learning takes place during both explicit PSHE and RSE lesson times and throughout continuous provision, where children explore and practice these vital skills during self-directed play guided by the 3 Prime Areas of learning which are Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development.

 

Special Educational Needs

Children with SEN may have pre-teaching, and repeated sessions to ensure knowledge and skills are embedded.

 

Parental Right to Withdraw

Relationships and Health Education are statutory elements of the primary curriculum, meaning parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons. However, parents do maintain the legal right to request that their child be withdrawn from any specific components of Sex Education that fall outside the statutory National Curriculum for Science. Parents wishing to discuss or make such a request are invited to arrange a meeting with the Headteacher to review the specific learning materials and discuss alternative arrangements.

What is the difference between Relationships, Health, and Sex Education?

Relationships Education teaches children about safe friendships, family dynamics, online safety, boundaries, and how to spot bullying. Health Education focuses on physical health, mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and the biological changes that happen during puberty. Sex Education in primary schools specifically looks at human conception (how a baby is made).

Can I withdraw my child from RSHE lessons?

You cannot withdraw your child from Relationships Education, Health Education, or the National Science Curriculum, as these are statutory legal requirements. You can request to withdraw your child from the specific non-statutory lessons on human conception that fall outside the Science Curriculum.

Which specific SCARF lessons can I withdraw my child from?

Under our SCARF curriculum, this right only applies to specific lessons in Year 6 (and occasionally Year 5) within the "Growing and Changing" unit, which explicitly discuss human conception. You will be notified in advance before these lessons take place. Lessons that include non-statutory Sex Education are Making Babies (y5/6), What is HIV? (y6) Online Sexual Content (y6) and Intimate Images and Online Sharing (y6).

What should I do if I want to withdraw my child?

Please look at our SCARF learning materials so you can see exactly what is being discussed and then see your child’s class teacher, who will discuss this with the headteacher.

What happens if I choose to withdraw my child?

If a withdrawal request is granted, your child will be safely supervised in another classroom with alternative learning activities during that specific lesson. They will return to their regular class immediately afterward.

 

For further information –

- SCARF have numerous pages dedicated to helping parents and careers with PSHE and RSE.

Please see https://www.coramscarf.org.uk

Particularly pages for parents;  

https://www.coramscarf.org.uk/family-scarf

These pages share information and ideas about activities to do at home together, free training and support for parents, metal wellbeing films for parents, information to help manage screen use, talking to your child about sensitive topics, how SCARF schools deliver RSHE.