Relationships & Sex Education (RSE)

A group of girls talking on the school field

As of September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) was made compulsory in all schools.  

The Department for Education outlines: 

‘The aim of RSE is to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. It should enable them to know what a healthy relationship looks like and what makes a good friend, a good colleague and a successful marriage or other type of committed relationship. It should also cover contraception, developing intimate relationships and resisting pressure to have sex (and not applying pressure). It should teach what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships. 

This will help students understand the positive effects that good relationships have on their mental wellbeing, identify when relationships are not right and understand how such situations can be managed. 

Effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. It should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity. Effective RSE also supports people, throughout life, to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy sexual relationships, at the appropriate time.’ 

The Sex Education Forum is an independent charity who promote and protect the physical and mental health of children and young people by improving their access to RSE. They have conducted a wide range of research which supports the following:

An infographic about RSE

All things considered, it is therefore essential that we ensure high quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching of these subjects to help prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of adult life. 

In our school we take the approach that Relationships and Sex Education are best approached in an integrated way. In the information below, lessons that contain what we define as sex education are outlined so that we can respect the wishes of parents who may wish to withdraw their children from this content (further information on the right to withdraw is outlined below). Simultaneously, we will seek to nurture children’s curiosity about the world around them, supporting their development and their respect for themselves and each other. 

 

play-love-heart-red-symbol

RSE Policy

PSHE Policy

Click on the logo to access our new PrideSoc site.