Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is co-ordinated by:
Ms Shaumya Ratnasabapathy
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Our Vision
“To build a better future for myself by becoming a responsible, respectful and active citizen and making positive decisions about my wellbeing.”
How will I do this?
- By exploring how fundamental British Values shape modern Britain.
- By exploring concepts of identity, including legal facts regarding biological sex and protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
- By exploring topical national and global issues, with an updated focus on modern digital challenges, online safety, and critical thinking.
- By exploring the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life.
- By exploring how to build high levels of self-efficacy and emotional regulation (including managing difficult emotions like disappointment, frustration, and loneliness).
What is RSHE about?
1. Relationships Education
Learning how to build and maintain healthy, respectful, and happy relationships, both offline and online. This focuses heavily on the skills of communication, kindness, and understanding and setting healthy personal boundaries.
2. Sex Education
Learning the factual and legal realities of sex, sexuality, sexual health, and gender reassignment. In line with current guidance, schools present the legal framework (such as the Equality Act) and biological facts, while remaining mindful of ongoing public debates and ensuring they do not teach contested views on gender identity as undisputed facts.
3. Health Education
Learning how to keep fit and healthy, manage physical and mental wellbeing, and navigate modern health challenges. This includes updated content on:
- Physical fitness and healthy relationships with food.
- The realities and risks of vaping and nicotine products.
- Digital health, including the impacts of online safety, social media, and age restrictions.
Why do we teach RSHE?
- Preparing for modern digital realities: Today's young people live seamless lives on and offline. The updated curriculum addresses contemporary online risks, including the use of AI-generated content, deepfakes, "screengrab" culture, and online harassment.
- Staying safe and healthy: Equipping pupils with the knowledge, values, and practical skills to spot grooming, coercion, and harmful behaviors, helping them safeguard their own physical and mental wellbeing.
- Building emotional resilience: Teaching pupils how to manage their feelings, communicate boundaries, and seek help constructively.
- Becoming successful citizens: Empowering pupils to make meaningful, positive contributions to modern society.
Student Withdrawal from Lessons
- Relationships & Health Education: Parents/carers cannot withdraw their child from any aspect of Relationships Education or Health Education.
- Sex Education: Parents/carers have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all aspects of Sex Education (excluding topics covered within the statutory National Science Curriculum).
- To request withdrawal, parents must first arrange a discussion with the Headteacher.To ensure you feel fully informed and supported, we will send an overview letter three weeks before the lessons begin, giving you a week to review the topics and request a withdrawal if needed, which leaves a comfortable two-week window for our pastoral team to plan a meaningful alternative session for the student.
- For students who are withdrawn, the school will ensure they receive appropriate and purposeful alternative education during those lesson periods.
How are the students assessed?
To meet updated statutory requirements for tracking progression, we monitor student understanding closely:
- At the end of every term, students complete a retrieval and knowledge check via a multiple-choice quiz.
- Students self-assess their answers, calculate their score, and this is recorded by the form tutor on Go4School.
- Within the same quiz, students reflect on their progress, self-rate their understanding, and identify the key skills they have developed.
How parents and carers can support their child:
We believe in full transparency and partnership with parents/carers:
- Discuss what they learn: Talk to your child about what they have studied in RSHE (the full topic list and curriculum map are available on our school website).
- Encourage open questions: Ask your child if they have any outstanding questions about the themes covered.
- Review and reinforce: Use the topic list to open gentle, positive conversations about safe relationships and physical/mental health at home.
Delivery and Contacts
RSHE is delivered during Registration. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to view any of our teaching materials, please get in touch with our team:
- SLT Link: Mr Kieron Burke
Useful Resources: During lessons, students are provided with signposted websites and helplines for further age-appropriate, confidential support.
