Parents Guide to Relationships and Sex Education in Primary School

Parents guide to Relationships, Sex and Health Education in primary school

The responsible approach to RSHE in primary schools: Yasmine and Tom

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians

The Family Planning Association (FPA) has been teaching health and sex education since the 1930s – you may have seen our patient leaflets while waiting in doctors’ surgeries.

Since September 2020 primary schools have been legally required to teach “Relationships Education”.

We know that teaching Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is a big responsibility and so we developed “Yasmine and Tom”, i.e.:

  • A unique, interactive and practical set of RSHE lessons that teachers can use to ensure children are both educated on topics appropriately and protected,
  • A set of lesson plans and modules that meet the statutory Department for Education guidance (national curriculum).

Core Lesson Themes in Primary School

  • Positive relations with friends, families and other adults and children
  • Respecting people who are sometimes different from your own family
  • Development of skills to stay safe on and offline

Explore 63 RSHE lesson outcomes here and find the answer to popular FAQs on RSHE below.

Meet Yasmine and Tom! 

Animation, sound and touch-screen activities bring the characters Yasmine and Tom to life.

Age appropriate lessons help Yasmine and Tom cover the full curriculum including relationships, families, friendships, diversity, the body, online and offline safety and much more.

Discover peace of mind and a safe pair of hands so children can learn and grow.

Yasmine and Tom Example 1: The Introduction Video

A video shown to pupils aged 5 to 7 to introduce them to Yasmine and Tom.

Yasmine and Tom Example 2: Different Families

This is an “interaction” from Year 1, Lesson 3, i.e. for  5 to 6 year olds. Click the green button to see how this interaction works. Make sure to have your sound on!

Yasmine and Tom Example 3: Periods (menstruation)

This is an interaction from Year 6, i.e. for  10 to 11 year olds.  Click the green button to see how this interaction works. Make sure to have your sound on!

Responsible Relationships, Sex & Health Education in Primary Schools – RSHE FAQs:

Q) Are children shown pornographic material?
A) No, never, they are children. The Family Planning Association takes a responsible approach. Children should be helped, protected and only taught age appropriate lessons.


Q) Who marks your homework? And how do you ensure lessons are “age appropriate”?
A) The Family Planning Association has implemented a 4 stage process:

  1. Materials are initially written by teachers
  2. Any sex education lessons are reviewed and updated by medical experts
  3. Lessons are then peer reviewed
  4. Lessons are then re-checked to ensure they are still fully compliant with the National Curriculum

Q) Is Relationships, Sex and Health Education really that important – shouldn’t children just concentrate on English and maths?
A) There’s no question that English and maths are critical building blocks.
Likewise, the clear evidence is that High Quality RSHE is like other education. It helps children and young people navigate the world, make informed choices, and develop critical thinking skills.
For details – see our Sex Education Benefits and Statistics page.


Q) Can I take a closer look at the Yasmine and Tom lessons?
A) Yes. You can see the 63 lesson outcomes here and you can also meet Yasmine and Tom in their introduction video above.


Q) Can I opt my child out of sex education?

A) The NHS states “it’s perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys.

Parents:

  • cannot withdraw their child from ‘relationships’ education as this is a legal requirement.
  • cannot withdraw their child from sex education that is part of the science curriculum e.g. ‘external body parts’ and ‘the human body as it grows from birth to old age (including puberty)’.
  • can withdraw their child from any additional sex education.

Where schools use the FPA lesson plans there are 4 of these additional sex education lessons:

  • They are age appropriate and taught in year 6 (10-11 year olds)
  • They are clearly marked on the lesson plan below

If opting your child out – the FPA strongly suggests that parents teach sex education at home.

Although in an ideal world – children would get these important lessons at home and at school.

 


Relationships, Sex & Health Education in Secondary Schools – RSHE FAQs:

Q) Does sex education encourage children to have sex?
A) No. Studies show it’s more likely to have the opposite effect and delay the age that young people first have sex.

You don’t have to take our word for it, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) examined 87 separate studies on the pros and cons of sex education.

Their report is 137 pages long – we’ve added a few highlights here.

You can also find our “Parents guide to RSHE in secondary schools” here.


Parents Feedback

As a parent, carer, guardian, do you have a question for the Family Planning Association about Relationships, Sex and Health Education – let us know:

    Primary School Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Lesson Outcomes.

    Updated: September 2025.

    The following provides an overview of what is taught to primary school aged children with FPA’s Yasmine and Tom.

    After the lessons – pupils should be able to (or know how to do) the following.

    Year 1: lessons designed for KS1, age 5-6

    Lesson 1: Introducing Yasmine and Tom

    • Describe some ways that boys and girls are similar or the same.
    • Know that there is more than one way to be a boy and more than one way to be a girl.

    Lesson 2: Friendships and feelings

    • Describe what makes a good friend.
    • Identify when friendship feels good.
    • Describe how to solve a problem when a friendship goes wrong.

    Lesson 3: Different families

    • Identify different types of families.
    • Describe a similarity and difference between different types of families.

    Lesson 4: My brilliant body

    • Explain that all bodies are different.
    • Say what is brilliant about our body.
    • Explain what to do if someone says mean things about someone’s body.
    • Describe how to get help.

    Lesson 5: Keeping safe

    • Recognise when a situation is safe or unsafe.
    • Describe some ways that we can keep safe.
    • Describe how to get help.

    Lesson 6: Sleeping well

    • Know how important it is to get good quality sleep.
    • Know how to develop a routine before bedtime.

    Lesson 7: Keeping clean

    • Explain why it is important to keep clean.
    • Give two examples of things to keep ourselves clean at home.
    • Give two examples of things to keep clean at school.

    Lesson 8: Safety in the sun

    • Know how to protect ourselves when it is sunny.
    • Understand what happens if we don’t protect ourselves in the sun.

    Lesson 9: Good manners

    • Understand the practice of using good manners and being courteous to others.

    Year 2: lessons designed for KS1, age 6-7

    Lesson 1: Keeping clean and taking care of myself

    • Name objects used to help keep someone clean and healthy.
    • Explain why it is important to keep clean.
    • Name tasks we can do for ourselves to look after our bodies.

    Lesson 2: Naming body parts - external and private

    • Name different parts of our body including the private and personal body parts.
    • Explain what private and personal parts are and how they are identified.

    Lesson 3: Keeping safe (lesson revisited)

    • Recognise when a situation is safe or unsafe.
    • Describe some ways that we can keep safe.
    • Describe how to get help.

    Lesson 4: Healthy eating

    • Know what a healthy diet is.
    • Suggest healthy meals for the school cook.
    • Understand what happens if you have a poor diet and the risks involved.

    Lesson 5: Emotions and anger

    • Recognise different emotions.
    • Use techniques to help us manage our emotions.

    Lesson 6: Keeping fit

    • Know what happens to the body when we exercise.
    • Know why it is important to exercise.

    Year 3: lessons designed for LKS2, age 7-8

    Lesson 1: Yasmine and Tom recap and ground rules for Year 3

    • Contribute to small group discussions.
    • Identify one person we can talk with about growing up.
    • Identify something that will make us feel safe to discuss bodies and relationships.

    Lesson 2: Me, myself and I

    • Show respect to others who are different to me.
    • Tell you at least one thing I am good at.
    • Tell you one thing I can do to make myself feel better if I am feeling down.

    Lesson 3: What makes a good friend?

    • Name two things that make a good friend.
    • Name two things that would make me think someone is not a good friend.
    • Explain what I need to do to be a good friend.

    Lesson 4: Families and getting on with our families

    • Name one thing that most families have in common and one way in which families can be different.
    • Identify who I talk to if I am worried about anyone or anything in my family.

    Lesson 5: My personal and private body parts and keeping safe

    • Label the personal and private parts of bodies.
    • Explain the difference between safe and unsafe touches.
    • Know that no one has the right to touch us in a way that feels unsafe, not even someone in our family.

    Lesson 6: People who can help us on and offline

    • Identify someone I can ask for help if I need it.
    • Explain what the CEOP reporting symbol means.

    Lesson 7: Being safe in the sun

    • Explain the benefits and dangers of the sun.
    • Know how to protect ourselves from the harmful rays of the sun.

    Lesson 8: Hidden sugar

    • Identify healthier snack choices and explain the reason for their choice.
    • Interpret food labels to understand sugar content.
    • Understand what happens if you have a poor diet and the risks involved.

    Lesson 9: Getting physical

    • Understand the benefits of exercise and how it can help the mind and body.
    • Know that it is important to exercise every day.

    Year 4: lessons designed for LKS2, age 8-9

    Lesson 1: Gender stereotypes and aspirations

    • Take part in a discussion and respond respectfully to someone we don’t agree with.
    • Describe what a stereotype is.

    Lesson 2: My personal and private body parts and keeping safe (lesson revisited)

    • Label the personal and private parts of bodies.
    • Explain the difference between safe and unsafe touches.
    • Know that no one has the right to touch us in a way that feels unsafe, not even someone in our family.

    Lesson 3: Body care

    • Name at least one brilliant thing about our body.
    • Explain which parts of the body we particularly need to keep clean as we get older.

    Lesson 4: Is it risky?

    • Know what risky means.
    • Understand that some risks are good and with other risks we need to think carefully.
    • Begin to understand how to take steps to assess risk and keep ourselves safe.
    • Say ‘no’ to things we don’t want to do.
    • Use ‘Stop, Think, Go’ to help us know what our options are if we start to feel unsafe.

    Lesson 5: People who can help us on and offline (lesson revisited)

    • Identify someone I can ask for help if I need it.
    • Explain what the CEOP reporting symbol means.

    Lesson 6: Germs

    • Know the importance of washing your hands.
    • Understand how germs are spread.

    Lesson 7: Being safe in the sun (lesson revisited)

    • Explain the benefits and dangers of the sun.
    • Know how to protect ourselves from the harmful rays of the sun.

    Lesson 8: Oral hygiene

    • Know what a healthy diet is.
    • Understand what happens to your oral hygiene if you have a poor diet and what are the risks involved.
    • Know what happens to teeth if they are not looked after.

    Lesson 9: Feeling good

    • Know how to cope with challenges.
    • Know where to seek help and support.
    • Develop skills and interests to increase well-being.

    Lesson 10: Keeping safe - online risks

    • Understand how information online can be false.
    • Recognise signs of an online scam.
    • Know that using social media and some online games are age restricted.

    Year 5: lessons designed for UKS2, age 9-10

    Lesson 1: Yasmine and Tom recap and ground rules for Year 5

    • Tell you two things that change as you get older.
    • Explain what ground rules are and why they are important.

    Lesson 2: Online and offline friendships

    • Explain how healthy friendships and relationships make us feel.
    • Explain what online bullying is.
    • Tell someone what to do if they have a bullying problem.
    • Tell someone what to do if they see any online or offline bullying.

    Lesson 3: Keeping safe - online images

    • Explain why posting pictures and videos could be risky.
    • Explain the law about sharing pictures and videos of a child’s personal and private body parts.
    • Describe how to help a friend who has made a ‘mistake’ online.

    Lesson 4: Friendships and secrets

    • Explain the difference between a safe and unsafe secret.
    • Describe some qualities of a good friendship.
    • Ask for help if we need it.

    Lesson 5: Friendships and pressure

    • Explain what peer pressure is.
    • Say no to something we don’t want to do.

    Lesson 6: Keeping safe - safe and unsafe touch

    • Explain the need to ask and receive permission (consent) for some types of touch.
    • Identify when physical contact feels unsafe and describe how to ask for help.
    • Evaluate the importance of choice, control and time limit in making safer choices.

    Lesson 7: Getting enough sleep

    • Understand the importance of sufficient good quality sleep for good health.
    • Understand that a lack of sleep can affect weight, mood and ability to learn.

    Lesson 8: Keeping clean

    • Understand that infection can be spread through unclean hands.
    • Understand that hand washing can prevent the spread of infection.
    • Understand when and how to wash hands.

    Lesson 9: Safety in the sun

    • Understand how to avoid sunburn.
    • Understand what is appropriate clothing to cover the skin.
    • Understand when to increase use of shade.
    • Understand why avoidance of exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest is important.
    • Understand why using high factor sunscreens is important.

    Lesson 10: Oral hygiene

    • Name ways to keep teeth healthy.
    • Learn the correct way to clean teeth.
    • Understand how your toothbrush affects your oral hygiene.

    Lesson 11: Physical fitness

    • Understand the benefits of exercise and how it affects our body.
    • Know that it is important to exercise every day.
    • Think of different activities that will exercise our body.

    Lesson 12: Feeling good

    • Understand what “wellbeing” means.
    • Explain the link between physical and mental wellbeing.
    • Give advice to young people who want to improve their mental wellbeing.

    Lesson 13: Getting help

    • Describe what Childline is and how to access it.
    • Using my helping hand, we can identify who we can go to for help.
    • Explain that there is nothing too awful or small that I can’t talk to someone about it.

    Lesson 14: Isolation and loneliness

    • Identify and discuss what loneliness is and how it makes us act.
    • Recognise situations and events that might make people feel lonely.
    • Talk openly about loneliness and maintain meaningful connections with others.
    • Learn what we can do to cope with loneliness and help others who feel lonely.

    Lesson 15: Immunisations and vaccinations

    • Recognise the signs if someone is becoming ill.
    • Know what an allergy is and name some common allergies.
    • Understand that taking vaccines can protect us against a wide range of diseases and illnesses.
    • Understand why taking vaccines is important.
    • Understand the basics of how vaccines work.

    Year 6: lessons designed for UKS2, age 10-11

    Lesson 1: Changes at puberty

    • Identify some of the changes that happen to our bodies.
    • Describe who to talk to when we need help dealing with puberty.
    • Ask for support for any changes that are difficult to manage.

    Lesson 2: Periods (menstruation)

    • Explain what a period (menstruation) is.
    • Suggest ways to overcome possible problems from periods.

    Lesson 3: Wet dreams and masturbation (optional opt out)

    • Explain what wet dreams are.
    • Explain that some people have wet dreams and some don’t.
    • Suggest ways to manage wet dreams.
    • Describe what masturbation is.

    Lesson 4: Making babies - sexual intercourse (optional opt out)

    • Describe fertilisation through sexual intercourse.
    • Explain how a baby is made and that different people use different methods to do this.
    • Describe what consent means.
    • Know the age of consent.

    Lesson 5: Making babies - Assisted fertility and multiple births (optional opt out)

    • Explain that some people have help to become pregnant.
    • Explain why some people need assistance to make a baby.
    • Describe the difference between identical and non-identical twins.

    Lesson 6: Making babies - Pregnancy and birth (optional opt out)

    • Know how long an average pregnancy lasts.
    • Explain why a pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks.
    • Identify and explain why some things should and should not be eaten in pregnancy.
    • Describe how babies are born (delivered).

    Lesson 7: Identity and prejudice

    • Identify things that shape our personal identity.
    • Explain what prejudice means.
    • Define what sexual orientation and gender mean.

    Lesson 8: Equality and the law

    • Describe what discrimination is.
    • Explain that groups of people are protected by the Equality Act.
    • Describe ways to challenge prejudice and discriminatory behaviour.

    Lesson 9: Dangers of smoking

    • Know the facts about smoking/vaping and the associated risks.

    Lesson 10: The effects of alcohol

    • Understand the effect that alcohol can have on the body.
    • Understand about units of alcohol.

    Lesson 11: Legal and illegal drugs

    • Explain that there are risks associated with using any type of drug and identify some of the risks and effects of drug use.
    • Recognise that drugs have laws related to them and that some drugs are illegal to own, use or give to others.
    • Analyse the level of risk in different situations, identifying that drugs can affect people in different ways.
    • Explain that for some people drug use can become an unhealthy habit that can be difficult to break but there is support available to help people.
    • Know where to report any concerns.

    Lesson 12: Asking for help

    • Recognise when we or someone else needs help.
    • Know who our trusted adults are - so we can ask them for support when we or somebody else is feeling hurt, upset, worried or angry.

    Lesson 13: Marriage

    • Give some reasons why people choose to marry or enter a civil partnership.
    • Know relationships can bring us joy and they can give us meaning. They can be good for us; through our relationships we learn who we are, how to be less selfish and how to think of others.
    • Understand for most Christians and people of other faiths and beliefs there is often a special ceremony of promises and rituals to mark marriage.

    Lesson 14: First aid

    • Explain some situations where someone might need to do first aid.
    • Make a clear call for help to emergency services.
    • Understand the basics of first aid, for example dealing with common injuries like head injuries.