Statutory requirements

As a maintained primary school we must provide relationships education to all pupils as per section 34 of the Children and Social work act 2017.

We are not required to provide sex education but we do need to teach the elements of sex education contained in the science curriculum.

In teaching RSE, we must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996.

We ensure that our policy and practice, as set out in this document, comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

At Millbrook Primary School we teach RSE as set out in this policy.

Statutory Requirements

From September 2026, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) at Millbrook Primary School and Nursery is delivered in line with statutory requirements and government guidance.

As an academy trust, we are required to provide Relationships Education to all pupils in accordance with the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019, as set out through our academy funding agreement. This requirement reflects Section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which applies to academies via funding agreements.

Primary schools are not required to provide Sex Education beyond the content of the National Curriculum for Science. However, we are required to teach the statutory science curriculum, which includes content on human development, reproduction, puberty and the human lifecycle.

In teaching Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), we have due regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State, as outlined in Section 403 of the Education Act 1996, including the revised Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance effective from September 2026.

We ensure that our policy and practice comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, ensuring teaching is inclusive, accessible and respects the rights of all pupils, including those with protected characteristics.

At Millbrook Primary School and Nursery, Relationships and Sex Education is taught in accordance with this policy and our wider RSHE curriculum, ensuring teaching is age‑appropriate, sensitive and aligned with statutory expectations.