Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Year 4

RSE in Year 4 focuses on building a foundation for healthy relationships, puberty, and health. It covers the emotional and physical changes of growing up, providing children with the knowledge and understanding of relationships, including families, friendships, and online interactions. Specific topics covered in Year 4 include:

• Relationships: Learning about different types of families, including LGBTQ+ families, and building healthy friendships.
• Puberty: Introduction to the concept of puberty and some of the physical and emotional changes that occur during this stage of development.
• Health: Learning about personal hygiene and the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Growing and Changing: Exploring the human lifecycle, including reproduction and birth.
• Feelings: Developing emotional literacy and learning how to manage different feelings.

Schools are expected to teach the statutory guidance on Relationships and Health Education. While sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, schools can choose to cover aspects of it within the RSE curriculum, ensuring it is age-appropriate and sensitive to the needs of their pupils. Many schools use resources and lesson plans from organizations like the PSHE Association and Twinkl to support their teaching.