Guidance on teaching respectful relationships for RSE

What key stages? Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2).

As children mature they begin to develop stronger and more independent relationships. A key part of this progression is the impact some situations and relationships can have on the way they feel.

Helping young people to understand the significance of establishing and managing respectful relationships as well as caring relationships is an important aspect of life. Equally, a strong understanding of when and how to expect respect from others and reciprocate this fluently in both the physical and digital world is a key part of ‘growing up’.

Respectful relationship lesson plans for Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) and Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2), those aged 5-11 are vital to a young person’s interpersonal development.

Teaching pupils the importance of respecting others is a key part of their interpersonal development, it helps them to competently develop respectful relationships in order to get along with friends, family, teachers and others.

This should include self-respect and ways it can maintain good mental and physical wellbeing. This needs to be taught to include all types of bullying that may be encountered and the damaging impact this could have. If bullying is experienced, ways to get support or, ways to support another friend or pupil if they identify bullying behaviour.

This is bought to life beautifully through animation in the PSHE Association’s approved RSE resource, Growing up with Yasmine and Tom.

What to include when teaching children about respectful relationships?

In order to meet the statutory guidance, the following must be covered:

Ideally, lessons will also cover the topic of ‘secret keeping’ within friendships and will provide pupils with the base to what is right and what is wrong. Navigating the nuances of how to respond to being pressured within friendships. These are all essential skills and go towards developing resilience; best taught in the early years.

The ability to develop respectful, positive relationships supports connection with others, in a safe and appropriate manner. When planning, ensure to appropriately differentiate so that children of all abilities can engage – inclusivity is key.

Teaching about respectful relationships with the support of Yasmine and Tom.

Growing up with Yasmine and Tom delivers age appropriate content through the characters Yasmine and Tom who progress through key stages with pupils, keeping the tool relatable.  An innovative, beautifully animated online RSE resource that makes teaching RSE effortless. Skip the lesson planning and deliver lessons with ease on subjects like, “Me, myself and I”, “Keeping safe – safe and unsafe touch” and “Identity and prejudice” that meet DfE guidelines on teaching respectful relationships.

You can view the full module guidance and how this relates to DfE guidance here.

Still have questions? Schedule a quick 15 minute call, with one of our experts where you can find the answers.

Recommended literature that supports RSE learning.

If you’d like to know more about our RSE literature for pupils, read our article everything you need to know about our ‘best in class’ RSE literature, designed to support teaching RSE in primary years.

At FPA we have been working with educators for the past 30 years, providing information and resources and enabling teachers to teach subjects they may otherwise not have had the confidence to teach. We make things easier and have been awarded, accredited, and formally recognised for the outstanding support we give to teachers.