E4S Cornerstones Explained
Defining Relationships & Sex Education
Relationship and sex education (RSE) in Secondary schools and Relationship Education in Primary schools, is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, a range of different relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. The fundamental building blocks at Primary school will the characteristics of positive relationships, friendships, family relationships, relationships with other children and with adults, identity, diversity and feeling safe.
It should equip children and young people with the information, skills and values to have people with the information, skills, and values to have safe, fulfilling and enjoyable relationships and to take responsibility for their sexual health and well-being.
DfE statutory guidance expects all schools to provide a comprehensive definition of RSHE that is relevant for their setting and clarifies what elements of the curriculum constitute relationships and sex education and which come under the remit of health education.
This following diagram can be useful to help show the lifecourse of RSHE.
Relationships Education (KS1+2)
- Families and people who care for me
- Caring friendships
- Respectful relationships
- Online relationships
- Being safe
Relationships and Sex Education (KS3+4)
- Families
- Respectful relationships including friendships
- Online and media
- Being safe
- Intimate and sexual relationships including sexual health
Health Education (KS1-4)
- Mental wellbeing
- Internet safety and harms
- Physical health and fitness
- Healthy eating
- Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- Health and revention
- Basic first aid
- Changing adolescent body
National partners training
Links to our National Partners in RSE:
