Puberty & The Body

Bodies and anatomy

Overview

Our teaching on bodies and anatomy gives young people accurate, clear knowledge about how their bodies work.

This topic covers reproductive anatomy for all bodies: what the parts are, what they do, and how they function. We teach about properly — not just that it happens, but how to manage it, what's normal, what isn't, and how to talk about it without shame. We cover , wet dreams, and the changes that come with male with the same matter-of-fact approach.

Hygiene and self-care sit within this too — managing , looking after your body during puberty, understanding what's going on beneath the surface. We use correct terminology throughout, because knowing the right words for your own body isn't just educational. It's protective.

Key learning outcomes

By the end of lessons on this topic, students will:

Know the correct names and functions of reproductive anatomy for all bodies
Understand menstruation — what it is, why it happens, and how to manage it with confidence
Learn about erections, wet dreams, and other aspects of male puberty without shame or embarrassment
Develop practical skills around hygiene and self-care during puberty
Recognise what's within the normal range of bodily experience and what might need medical attention
Understand how reproductive systems relate to conception and sexual health
Feel confident using accurate anatomical language

Why teaching about bodies and anatomy matters

A young person who doesn't know the correct name for their own genitalia is a young person who can't accurately report abuse. That alone makes this topic essential.

But beyond safeguarding, body literacy is about dignity and confidence. When we teach anatomy and bodies with clarity and respect, we replace shame with understanding and give every young person ownership of the body they live in.

Curriculum alignment

This topic addresses 10 requirements from the DfE statutory RSE guidance and 4 learning outcomes from the PSHE Association Programme of Study , across KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5.

View all curriculum references

DfE RSE Statutory Guidance 2026

"About growth and other ways the body can change and develop, particularly during adolescence. This topic should include the human lifecycle, and puberty should be discussed as a stage in this process" Health Education: Developing bodies, 1 · KS1, KS2
"Not to provide material to others that they would not want to be distributed further and not to pass on personal material which is sent to them" Secondary RSE: Online safety and awareness, 4 · KS3, KS4
"Online risks, including the importance of being cautious about sharing personal information online and of using privacy and location settings appropriately" Secondary RSE: Online safety and awareness, 2 · KS3, KS4
"That they have rights in relation to sharing personal data, privacy and consent" Health Education: Wellbeing online, 10 · KS1, KS2
"The concept of privacy and its implications for both children and adults; including that it is not always right to keep secrets if they relate to being safe" Relationships Education: Being Safe, 2 · KS1, KS2
"The correct names of body parts, including the penis, vulva, vagina, testicles, scrotum, nipples. Pupils should understand that all of these parts of the body are private" Health Education: Developing bodies, 2 · KS1, KS2
"The facts about reproductive health, including fertility and menopause, and the potential impact of lifestyle on fertility for men and women" Secondary Health: Developing bodies, 4 · KS3, KS4
"The importance of exercising caution about sharing any information about themselves online, and understanding the importance of privacy and location settings to protect information online" Relationships Education: Online safety and awareness, 4 · KS1, KS2
"The importance of healthy behaviours before and during pregnancy, including the importance of pre-conception health, taking folic acid, pelvic floor health, information on miscarriage and pregnancy loss, and how to access care and support" Secondary Health: Health protection and prevention, 7 · KS3, KS4
"The main changes which take place in males and females, and the implications for emotional and physical health" Secondary Health: Developing bodies, 1 · KS3, KS4

PSHE Association Programme of Study 2020

"About the processes of reproduction and birth as part of the human life cycle; how babies are conceived and born (and that there are ways to prevent a baby being made)" KS1-2 Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing, H33 · KS1, KS2
"That fertility can vary in all people, changes over time (including menopause) and can be affected by STIs and other lifestyle factors" KS4 Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing, H31 · KS4
"To identify the external genitalia and internal reproductive organs in males and females and how the process of puberty relates to human reproduction" KS1-2 Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing, H30 · KS1, KS2
"To understand the implications of unintended pregnancy and young parenthood; to recognise the advantages of delaying conception, whilst acknowledging the changes in fertility with age" KS5 Core Theme 2: Relationships, R14 · KS5