Relationships and Sex Education
Newland School for Girls Relationships and Sex Education curriculum
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The aims of relationships and sex education (RSE) at our school are to ensure students learn about:
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different types of relationships, including friendships, family relationships, intimate relationships, dealing with strangers
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how to recognise, understand and build healthy relationships, including self-respect and respect for others, commitment, tolerance, boundaries and consent, and how to manage conflict, and also how
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to recognise unhealthy relationships;
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how relationships may affect health and wellbeing, including mental health;
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healthy relationships and safety online; and
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factual knowledge around sex, sexual health and sexuality, set firmly within the context of relationships. The aims above are in line with the core expectations that we promote to all students: maintain a positive attitude, show respect for all and display high levels of commitment to being the best you can be.
RSE is about the emotional, social and cultural development of pupils, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity. RSE involves a combination of sharing information, and exploring issues and values. RSE is not about the promotion of sexual activity
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Through the personal development programme students are able to identify what a healthy relationships looks like, they can make informed choices in regards to safer sex and sexual health in later years. They have awareness regarding the risks that young people can be exposed to and understanding of how to effectively manage these situations. They can make well informed choices when it comes to their mental and physical well-being.
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Personal development programme fully informs of dangers and risks to their safety and security and ensures they have a range of strategies to deal effectively with issues when they arise.
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Secondary Relationships and Sex Education – statutory, with a parental right of withdrawal up to the age of 15*, the child has the right to choose come the third term before the child turns 16.
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The areas of knowledge to be covered by the end of secondary are:
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Families
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Respectful relationships, including friendships ·
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Online and media ·
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Being safe ·
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Intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health
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The guidance is clear about the knowledge needed to support good sexual health: the full range of contraception; facts and choices around pregnancy; STI information; and how to get help from sexual health services. There is also a focus on consent: both actively communicating consent and recognising consent from others.
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Physical Health and Wellbeing Education – statutory, with no parental right of withdrawal The areas of knowledge to be covered in secondary are:
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Mental wellbeing · Internet safety and harms
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Physical health and fitness
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Healthy eating
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Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
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Health and prevention
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Basic first aid
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Changing adolescent body
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The guidance places equal importance on mental wellbeing and physical health.
Cross curriculum teaching
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Many of these Physical Health and Wellbeing topics are already covered in the PE, Food and computing curriculums and have been altered accordingly.
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Biological aspects of RSE are taught within the science curriculum.
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Some of the Mental Health aspects are taught through English lessons
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Relationships is also covered in RE lessons
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