Primary Focus

What's the difference between teaching puberty and sex education?

What actually needs to be taught in primary RSE - and what’s optional? In this episode of Primary Focus, we tackle one of the most commonly misunderstood areas in primary education: the difference between puberty education and sex education. Because they’re often blurred together, it can create confusion for schools, staff, and parents - especially when it comes to what is statutory in RSE and what isn’t. Together, they unpack: - What must be taught in primary schools - What schools can choose to include - How the science curriculum overlaps with RSE - Why parents sometimes misunderstand their right to withdraw - What age-appropriate sex education actually looks like in Year 5/6 - How to build staff confidence when teaching sensitive topics Learn more about our panel: 👉 Rebecca Jennings - RSE Consultant for Schools, RAISEhttps://www.raiseeducation.org.uk/ 👉 Russell Stanley - PSHE/RSHE Consultant, Health and Wellbeing in Schools LTDhttps://www.schoolhwb.co.uk/ 👉 Zoė Higgins - RSE & PSHE Lead, Kapow Primary The episode also explores practical classroom strategies, including: - Using correct scientific vocabulary (and why it matters) - Creating safe discussion spaces with clear ground rules - Handling tricky questions with confidence - Whether to teach in mixed or single-sex groups In this video: 00:00 - Introductions 01:12 - Defining Puberty vs. Sex Education 04:13 - School Policies and Parent Engagement 07:02 - Foundational Learning in Key Stage 1 08:17 - Using Correct Terminology 14:43 - Teacher Preparation and Confidence 19:14 - Helping Pupils Feel Comfortable 26:52 - Grouping Strategies (Single-sex vs. Mixed-sex) 30:37 - Final Advice and Conclusion primary RSE, puberty education, sex education primary, statutory RSE, PSHE primary, RSHE UK, teaching puberty KS2, year 5 RSE, safeguarding schools, teacher podcast UK

Why does parent communication in RSHE matter more than ever?

In this episode of Primary Focus, we explore the updated RSHE guidance for 2025 and beyond, and what upcoming changes mean for primary schools. We look at how schools can build transparent, trusting relationships with parents while delivering a clear and confident RSHE curriculum. Experts Rebecca Jennings and Russell Stanley break down: - what RSHE actually means in practice - the legal right for parents to view RSHE curriculum materials - how RSHE supports safeguarding in primary schools - practical strategies for communicating sensitive topics with confidence Learn more about our panel: 👉 Rebecca Jennings - RSE Consultant for Schools, RAISEhttps://www.raiseeducation.org.uk/ 👉 Russell Stanley - PSHE/RSHE Consultant, Health and Wellbeing in Schools LTDhttps://www.schoolhwb.co.uk/ 👉 Zoė Higgins - RSE & PSHE Lead, Kapow Primary 🔔 Primary Focus is a podcast for primary teachers and school leaders.New episodes released fortnightly! 📩 Get practical RSHE guidance and new episodes straight to your inbox:https://2ev7d5.share-eu1.hsforms.com/28FIbNjIeQN2kU3h4RF0mLg In this video: 00:00 - Introductions 01:36 - New legal rights and curriculum transparency 02:43 - Key updates: Digital safety and personal hazards 04:56 - How RSHE supports school safeguarding 08:10 - Formal consultation vs. everyday engagement 11:00 - Giving parents a voice in the curriculum 13:06 - Taking the "awkwardness" out of sex education 16:31 - Tips for the classroom: "Ask-it baskets" and ground rules 18:42 - Building staff confidence and using consistent words 20:15 - Running successful parent meetings 23:03 - Agreed vocabulary as a "safety net" 25:01 - Making the curriculum work for your school 27:57 - Closing the loop with Parent FAQs 29:56 - Final advice for schools right now RSHE 2025 | RSHE guidance | RSHE curriculum | what is RSHE | what does RSHE stand for | primary school RSHE | UK RSHE 2026 | RSHE statutory changes 2026 | Parental engagement

Media Literacy: What is it and how do we prepare children?

Media literacy is becoming an essential part of primary education - but what does it actually mean, and how can schools approach it with confidence? In this episode of Primary Focus, we explore one big question: What is media literacy and how do we prepare children Drawing on classroom experience and curriculum expertise, this conversation breaks down what media literacy looks like in a primary context - and how it can be embedded meaningfully without adding to workload. In this episode, we discuss: * what media literacy means (beyond online safety) * how children are engaging with content earlier than ever * simple ways to build critical thinking in the classroom * how it links across subjects like English, History and Science * practical strategies teachers can use straight away This episode is designed to support teachers and school leaders looking to build confident, thoughtful approaches to media literacy - helping children navigate the world around them with curiosity and care. Featuring: * Helen Mulley - Education Specialist and Communications Consultant * Adam Sumner - Curriculum Designer at Kapow Primary * Sarah Johnson - Senior Marketing Executive at Kapow Primary 🔔 Primary Focus is a podcast for primary teachers and school leaders. New episodes released fortnightly! 📩 Never miss an episode - sign up to the Kapow Primary newsletter:https://2ev7d5.share-eu1.hsforms.com/... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmNucEZoU0xaSGNYcUNRNUEyRU8wNFdmdmg3d3xBQ3Jtc0trejdiLWxDU21xWUY0aW9uQTJYS3dldTNuVG1wTWFNU0RNX3R3WUdRTG9tRGIwOWtzUS1DRldaUnB4SWcyQTdyc1pWMU5uRXFhallKLURaMzZqdTZtZVllTXVXdFptcTF3SVZMREJDQ3hzam13a3dROA&q=https%3A%2F%2F2ev7d5.share-eu1.hsforms.com%2F28FIbNjIeQN2kU3h4RF0mLg&v=Ux3suQxTDmw] Content in this video: 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw] – Introduction 1:57 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=117s] – Defining media literacy 04:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=257s] – Media literacy within the National Curriculum 06:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=397s] – Navigating the challenges of an unregulated online landscape 09:49 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=589s] – Identifying motivations: Algorithms, misinformation, and critical questioning 15:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=913s] – Scaffolding media literacy skills 18:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=1136s] – Applying critical thinking to AI-generated content and historic media 24:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=1442s] – Practical classroom strategies 30:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3suQxTDmw&t=1804s] – Final summary - key to strong media literacy

Wellbeing: What does teacher wellbeing actually look like?

Supporting teacher wellbeing isn’t just important for staff - it directly impacts the experience pupils have in the classroom. In this episode of Primary Focus, the team at Kapow Primary reflect on their own time in primary teaching and explore one big question:What really supports teacher wellbeing - and what makes the biggest difference day to day? Drawing on their experiences across classrooms and leadership roles, they share honest reflections on what helped their wellbeing, what made things harder, and what schools can do to create environments where teachers - and pupils - can thrive. In this episode, we discuss: * why teacher wellbeing matters for children’s learning * what positive school culture looks like in practice * how leadership decisions can strengthen (or strain) staff morale * practical habits that helped us manage workload and pressure * small changes that can make a big difference 🔔 Primary Focus is a podcast for primary teachers and school leaders. New episodes released fortnightly! 📩 Never miss an episode - sign up to the Kapow Primary newsletter:https://2ev7d5.share-eu1.hsforms.com/28FIbNjIeQN2kU3h4RF0mLg In this video: 00:04 - Introduction 01:26 - Stress and burnout experiences 04:13 - What does wellbeing actually mean? 06:24 - Experiences with senior leadership team (SLT) 08:45 - The balance of responsibility (Leadership and teachers) 11:12 - School culture and perception 13:18 - How to support wellbeing 15:53 - The important of modelling wellbeing 18:46 - Key takeaway to support teacher wellbeing

EYFS: How do we give every child the best start in school?

Explore what really matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - from those first days in Reception to supporting children as they transition into Year One. What does school readiness actually mean? Should children be ready for school - or should schools be ready for children Drawing on classroom experience and leadership insight, the panel discusses: * What school readiness really means (and common misconceptions) * Why play is essential for learning - not just a “nice extra” * The importance of oracy and language-rich environments * Supporting children’s transition from Reception into Year One * Practical advice for EYFS teachers and school leaders Featuring: * Sophie Pickles – Education Consultant and Early Years specialist * George Simmonds – Cluster Lead, Kapow Primary * Yvette Zinger-Gothelf – Content Creator, Kapow Primary 🎧 Primary Focus is a podcast for primary teachers and school leaders. New episodes released fortnightly! Never miss an episode — subscribe: 🔔 Join the Kapow Primary newsletter for updates, tips and resourceshttps://kapowprimary.com/#:~:text=sign%20up%20to%20our%20newsletter Content in this video: 00.00 - 2.25 Introduction and big question 2.25 - 5.24 The challenges of Reception 5.24 - 8.16 What is school readiness? 8.16 - 14.58 Transitioning from EYFS to Year One 14.48 - 17.46 Creating a welcome and inclusive EYFS classroom 17.46 - 22.03 Advice for new EYFS teachers and educators 21.39 - 23.12 What is key to giving children the best start?