What is RSE?

RSE is the study and understanding of being an individual human and our individual needs and belief systems, how to exist in a community and respecting each human part of it, building an awareness of their background, origin and beliefs. We engage in discussions about healthy living, emotions, growing up, problems, problem solving, safety and how we can better look after the world that we are a part of.

Curriculum intent

At John Blow Primary School, RSE and the teaching of RSE is the foundation of our curriculum and our school ethos. Our main aim is to ensure every single child develops an awareness of self and their community, and progress in the areas of speaking, listening and upholding our core school values.

RSE at John Blow is taught daily, even out of lessons, and is at the cornerstone of the entire curriculum and at the heart of our school. It is embedded within all our lessons and we will strive for a high level of RSE and social awareness for all children. Through using high-quality texts such as the Talking Points scheme, immersing children in inclusive and open dialogue through speaking or the utilisation of the arts, and ensuring new curriculum expectations, the progression of objectives are met. This will not only enable them to become primary literate but will also develop deep empathy, listening and sharing skills.

At John Blow, our vision is for creativity to be at the helm of our RSE curriculum and for children to learn new skills in a fun and engaging way.

Implementation

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability or additional needs, to flourish and become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear objectives and knowledge progression. This ensures that vocabulary, objectives, skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

At John Blow Primary School:

• RSE units are blocked to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each unit in depth.

• We have developed a progression of objectives, with each year group, which enables pupils to build on and develop their skills each year. This is supported with specific vocabulary and objectives for each topic.

• In order to support children in their ability to know more and remember more, there are regular opportunities to review the learning that has taken place in previous year groups as well as previous lessons.

• To support teaching, staff access a range of resources using the Talking Points scheme at the helm, and reinforced through the utilisation of Twinkl, Education Shed, assemblies, our School Values which are displayed around the school.

• Medium term planning for units will cover previous learning and objectives.

• We plan for effective use of educational visits and visitors, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experience and the RSE curriculum.

• Teachers use highly effective Assessment for Learning at different points in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.

• Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intentions, with misconceptions addressed within it.

• Through using a range of assessment tools, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the RSE curriculum.

• Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for self or peer assessment, which will then be used to inform planning, preparation, differentiation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.

• Cross-curricular links are planned for.

• Our Assessment Tracker (EAZMAG) allows us to use data to inform future practice.

Impact

Sustained learning and transferrable RSE skills. We aim that by the end of KS2 all of our children have made considerable progress from their starting points in EYFS. With the implementation of Talking Points, all children have the opportunity to listen, be listened to and engage actively in dialogue and stories that enhance their social awareness.

Our children also become more confident, fluent speakers and listeners as they realise the importance of community, personal autonomy and respect as a result.

As all aspects of RSE are an integral part of the curriculum, cross-curricular writing standards are improved and skills taught during RSE lessons are transferred into other subjects. We hope that as children move on from us to further their education and learning through the skills acquired through the delivery of RSE.