The aim of the RSHE programme is to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. Through the delivery of RSHE lessons, we enable students to know what a healthy relationship looks like, what makes a good friend, a good colleague, what a successful marriage or other type of committed relationship looks like; they are encouraged to take responsibility for playing their part in nurturing positive relationships.
We aim to safeguard all members of our community by enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their physical and mental health, safety and personal development. Students reflect on what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships, helping them understand the positive effects that good relationships have on their mental wellbeing and to identify when relationships are not right. We share with students positive ways of managing problematic relationships and consequently learn what resilience can look like in challenging situations.
Our RSHE programme prepares students for puberty and gives them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene. Lessons are structured so that sensitive discussions can take place in a safe environment. Through this, we help students develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy, and we create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships.
Within this, we foster:
- a continued understanding of key topics, such as relationships, as students rise through the year groups with the delivery of a spiral curriculum.
- an understanding of how individuals have different boundaries and levels of tolerance, and that these must be observed and respected
- the ability to critique attitudes and behaviours of other people
- the ability to respond to and share views in a way that is respectful and considerate of all members of our community
- attitudes of self-respect and an understanding that, through this starting point, this can become a way to grow the respect and understanding of others
All students in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 are taught RSHE at Great Marlow School. Key Stages 3 and 5 are taught this subject in Week 1 of their timetable. Key Stage 4 students are also taught RSHE in week 1 but, in addition to this, have an extra lesson in Week 2, focusing on a different topic. This arrangement across all year groups allows Great Marlow School to ensure that all statutory topics are covered.
