From September 2020, a new subject called Relationships Education will be compulsory in primary schools. In response, the Christian charity Lovewise has released Relationships Matter, a free online resource for teachers to use with their classes.
This resource covers the five units specified in the government’s statutory guidance: Families and people who care for me; Caring friendships; Respectful relationships; Online relationships; Being safe. There are 25 lessons in total across the five units with lessons aimed for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Relationships not sex education
Relationships Education in primary school is compulsory, sex education is not. One of the dangers identified by many parents in early trials is that some resources being used by schools for the new curriculum included topics that would be more accurately described as sex education.
The new subject has also been used to teach about LGBT issues at a very young age. The government’s guidance stresses the importance of teaching being age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate. Many parents consider that what has been included in some schemes is not appropriate. Schools with a religious designation are able to teach Relationships Education in accordance with their own faith position.
An overall summary of what the government wants to teach would be that children learn to respect others. They specifically mention respect for families which might be different from theirs; that no children should feel excluded from friendship groups; that children should respect themselves and those in positions of authority; and that respect should be shown in online relationships. At the same time children should learn to identify when relationships are not healthy or safe and learn who to go to and how to obtain help, in most cases from a trusted adult.
Due to Covid-19, some schools may delay teaching the subject until Summer 2021 as they have had no opportunity to consult with parents.
