RHE in primary schools: Discovery Education launches ‘Health and Relationships’

A digital programme to help primary schools deliver the new RHE curriculum – both in the classroom and via distance learning – is being launched today.

From September it will be compulsory for UK primary schools to provide teaching of relationships education, physical health and mental wellbeing. To support schools in meeting these changes, and to enable them to do so easily at this challenging time, Discovery Education is providing schools with a free period of access to the complete suite of digital resources, suitable for children in years 1 to 6.

Providing full coverage of the new DfE objectives, Discovery Education Health and Relationships will enable teachers to deliver lessons with confidence. Devised by subject experts, the programme’s resources are both engaging and age-appropriate. Child-led scenario-based videos feature children talking about key topics, while role-play activities help pupils explore scenarios and develop skills to confidently deal with issues that affect their lives today and as they grow.

Discovery Education Health and Relationships covers 6 key topic areas: Healthy and Happy Friendships, Similarities and Differences, Caring and Responsibility, Families and Committed Relationships, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds and Coping with Change. Designed as a spiral curriculum, the programme enables pupils to revisit each topic as they progress through primary school, building upon their skills and understanding.

Many of the topics covered, e.g. feelings of loneliness, isolation and loss and coping with change, have special relevance to the current pandemic and the challenges children face. The programme’s digital content means that teachers can easily pick up activities for children to complete at home to help them cope with the uncertainty of the situation and share positive thoughts and ideas with classmates.

Support for teachers includes end-to-end curriculum planning, detailed guidance and help with parental communication. The programme also sets out a series of best practice principles to help schools create a safe learning environment for teaching about healthy relationships.

The programme’s series editor is Lucy Marcovitch, a PSHE subject expert and former government advisor. Lucy said:

“PSHE can be tricky to teach, especially if teachers aren’t confident with the subject matter or don’t know what is age-appropriate. Discovery Education Health and Relationships gives schools a complete solution to both of these issues. The high-quality, inclusive resources ensure that children can learn about healthy relationships in a supportive and nurturing environment.”

Kristina Mjomark, Head of Curriculum Content at Discovery Education said:

“This is an exceptionally difficult time for schools and many teachers feel unprepared to meet the RHE curriculum changes which come into play from September. Health and Relationships will support primary school teachers to deliver this challenging subject with confidence while empowering their pupils to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”