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Exploring the nature of healthy relationships is an important part of our PSHE work at Downfield. Recent changes in legislation have meant a renewed emphasis on quality RSE (relationships and sex education). At Downfield, this area of the curriculum is delivered through the Jigsaw scheme via Puzzle Piece 6: Changing Me.
The secretary of state sets out the expectations as follows:
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.
Compulsory Aspects of RSE
The sex education contained in National Curriculum science (Key Stages 1–4) is compulsory in maintained schools. In maintained secondary schools it is also compulsory for pupils to have sex education that includes HIV and AIDS and other sexually-transmitted infections. All state-funded schools must have ‘due regard’ to the Secretary of State’s guidance on SRE (DfE, 2000). This states that:
- ‘All children, including those who develop earlier than average, need to know about puberty before they experience the onset of physical changes’ (1.13)
- Children should learn ‘how a baby is conceived and born’ before they leave primary school (1.16)
RSE Policy
DFE Guide to RSE
Jigsaw Puzzle Piece 6: Changing Me
| Overview of RSE Content in Jigsaw Puzzle Piece 6: Changing Me | |
| EYFS |
Growing up: how we have changed since we were babies |
| Year 1 |
Life cycles, changes since we were babies, Boys’ and girls’ bodies, naming body parts with correct terminology, transition |
| Year 2 |
life cycle in nature , Boys’ and girls’ bodies, naming body parts with correct terminology, respecting privacy , assertiveness, transition |
| Year 3 |
Changes that happen in both nature and human life cycles, How babies grow , how boy’s and girl’s bodies change as they grow older, personal hygiene, family stereotypes, transition |
| Year 4 | Being unique, Girls and puberty, being part of a family ,Confidence in change, Accepting change, Preparing for transition |
| Year 5 |
Self- and body image, Puberty for girls, Puberty for boys, Conception (including IVF), Growing responsibility, Coping with change ,Preparing for transition |
| Year 6 | Self-image, Body image, Puberty and feelings, Conception to birth, Reflections about change, Physical attraction, Respect and consent, Respectful relationships , Sexting, transition |
Further information regarding the content of our Science curriculum, where this involves RSE and which elements are optional, can be found below. Parents who wish to withdraw their children from any non-statutory elements of sex education, will need to do so in consultation with the headteacher following the submission of an opting out form which can be found below. You will need to state the lesson number you wish your child to be withdrawn from, this can be found on the overview document. A letter with further details and a link / QR code for an online form can be found below.
Parent letter with opt out information 2026
Use this form to alert us to any lessons you wish your child to be withdrawn from (Years 4,5,6 only)
