Background
We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain.
All primary age children are taught Relationships and Health Education. These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life.
The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago. There is a high level of availability of information via the internet, that your child may access independently. This information is not always accurate and often inappropriate. Continuing to keep our children safe in today’s world requires us to provide them with safe spaces where they can gain accurate information in a respectful, age appropriate environment.
What does RSE stand for?
RSE stands for Relationship, Sex Education.
Relationships and Sex Education
At secondary, Relationships and Sex Education will build on the teaching at primary. It aims to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds. Your child’s school will cover content on what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like and what makes a good friend, colleague and successful marriage or committed relationship. At the appropriate time, the focus will move to developing intimate relationships, to equip your child with knowledge they need to make safe, informed and healthy choices as they progress through adult life.
By the end of secondary school, pupils will have been taught content on:
- Families
- Respectful relationships, including friendships online media
- Being safe
- Intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health
Health Education
Health Education aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise.
By the end of secondary school, pupils will have been taught content on:
- Mental wellbeing
- Internet safety and harms
- Physical health and fitness
- Healthy eating
- Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- Health and prevention
- Basic first aid
- Changing adolescent body
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) (Secondary) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How to approach school about your concerns
- Speak to your child’s school to understand what will be taught and when.
- Ask to see the materials.
- Ask how the class will be organised when these lessons are taught.
- Explain exactly what you do/do not want your child to participate in and why, so that the school understands your concerns.
- If you do not want your child to take part in some or all of the lessons on Sex Education, you have the right to withdraw them.
Right to withdraw your child
- You have the right to request that your child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE.
- You cannot withdraw your children from relationships, health or science education.
- The Headteacher may want to discuss your request with you so that they understand your reasons.
- Once those discussions have taken place, except in exceptional circumstances, the school should respect your request to withdraw your child, up to and until three terms before they turn 16. After that point, if your child wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school should make arrangements to provide them with sex education.
What can you expect from school?
- You should be given every opportunity to understand the purpose and content of Relationships Education and RSE.
- Schools should work closely with you when planning and delivering these subjects.
- Schools should ensure that you know what will be taught and when.
- You should be given the opportunity to view RSE materials to so you are confident about the content and the delivery and can make an informed decision about whether or not to allow your child to participate.
- There should be good communication from the school and they should provide opportunities for you to understand and ask questions about the school’s approach to these topics.
- Materials should be available in an accessible form.
- Schools should offer you support in talking to your child about sex education and how to link this with what is being taught in school.
- Your child will learn about relationships in an age appropriate way.
- Schools should clearly communicate the fact that you have the right to request that your child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE.
- If you decide to withdraw your child, school should provide alternative work for your child to do.
- Signposting you to other organisations who can support you, such as charities and the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen advisory teacher.