At Merley, we use a PSHE scheme called SCARF (safety, caring, achievement, resilience, friendship) to support our personal, social and health education. SCARF is a whole-school approach which supports primary schools in promoting positive behaviour, mental health, wellbeing, resilience and achievement. This equips our pupils with foundational principles, skills, habits and a mindset that will improve their mental health, relationships and academic achievement.

We fully respect the role of parents and carers as the primary educators of their children. Under Department for Education (DfE) guidance, parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of the sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE.

Please note:

• Relationships Education and Health Education: These components are statutory for all pupils and there is no parental right to withdraw from these topics.

• National Curriculum Science: Parents cannot withdraw pupils from sex education topics that are covered within the statutory National Curriculum for Science (such as biological aspects of human reproduction).

If you wish to discuss withdrawing your child from the non-statutory sex education components of RSE, we ask that you contact the Headteacher in writing.

We encourage all parents considering this step to schedule a meeting with us first. This provides an opportunity to review the curriculum materials together, discuss any concerns, and understand the specific context in which topics are taught, ensuring you can make a fully informed decision for your child.