Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE)
AIMS
The aims of relationships and sex education (RSHE) at our school are to:
- Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
- Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
- Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
- Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
- Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies
Through our teaching of the topics covered in RSHE we aim to ensure that students remain ready, respectful and safe in the decisions and actions that they take both in and outside of school.
We have developed the curriculum in consultation with parents, pupils and staff, and taking into account the age, developmental stage, needs and feelings of our pupils. If pupils ask questions outside the scope of this policy, teachers will respond in an appropriate manner so that pupils are fully informed and don’t seek answers online.
RSHE is taught within the personal, social, citizenship health and economic (PSCHE) education curriculum. Biological aspects of RSHE are taught within the science curriculum, and other aspects are included in religious education (RE).
Students may also receive stand alone RSHE sessions from members of the school nursing team or other health professionals.
RSHE focuses on giving young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds including:
- Families
- Respectful relationships, including friendships
- Online and media
- Being safe
- Intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health
PARENTS RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory components of sex education within RSHE up to and until 3 terms before the child turns 16. After this point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than being withdrawn, the school will arrange this. Requests for withdrawal should be made in writing to the Headteacher using the form which can be found in the policy link below.
