Relationships and Health Education- Draft Policy & Consultation
Find out what your child learns, why it matters, and how we teach it — openly and in partnership with you
Consultation: 12 May – 6 June 2026
New curriculum from September 2026
Delivered by class teachers via Pol-Ed
Relationships Education and Health Education (RHE) are compulsory subjects in all primary schools in England, required by the Department for Education. They are designed to help children stay safe, build healthy relationships, understand their emotions, and make good choices about their wellbeing.
At Kells Lane, we deliver RHE through the Pol-Ed programme — created by West Yorkshire Police and specialist teachers — covering everything from friendships and feelings in EYFS right through to mental health, online safety and transition to secondary school in Year 6. Click here for more information. Pol-Ed is supplemented by our Computing curriculum (Project Evolve) for online safety, Science for body science and PE for physical health and fitness.
What does RHE cover?
RHE is not one subject — it weaves together several areas of learning that build on each other as children grow.
Relationships
Friendships, family, healthy and unhealthy relationships, respect, kindness, and how to handle conflict.
Mental Wellbeing
Understanding emotions, mental health, resilience, and knowing when and how to ask for help.
Online Safety
Safe use of the internet, social media, online relationships, privacy, and recognising harmful content.
Physical Health
Healthy eating, exercise, sleep, hygiene, and understanding how to look after their bodies.
Understanding the Law
Age restrictions, rules, rights and responsibilities, and what it means to be a good citizen.
Keeping Safe
Personal safety, recognising risk, trusted adults, and knowing what to do in an emergency.
Government Updates September 2026
New RSHE guidance for schools in England was published by the DfE in July 2025 for implementation by September 2026, our current 2025 RSHE policy will remain in place until the Spring Term in 2026 when it will be adapted to meet the new guidance.
If you would like to find out more information for parents that please use the link below:
New RSHE guidance: what parents need to know – The Education Hub
RHE Policy 2026 - DRAFT
The full draft policy for consultation, covering statutory content, delivery approach and school-specific decisions.
Consultation Letter
Curriculum Overview by Year Group
Pol-Ed Links to Statutory RSE Guidance
Year 5 pUBERTY SESSION
This session is delivered by the Growing Healthy Gateshead nursing team, with your child's class teacher present throughout. Parents are given at least two weeks' notice before the session takes place. Contact the RHE Lead if you would like to discuss the content in advance.
Questions? Get in touch.
We are happy to discuss any aspect of the curriculum with you — whether you have a concern, want to see materials, or simply want to understand more about what your child is learning.
Mrs L Duckworth — RHE Lead