RSHE

This guide accompanies a representative sample of lessons from our secondary RSHE programme.

The sample has been selected to help parents and carers see:

• • the kinds of resources students encounter in RSHE lessons;

• • how topics are approached in an age-appropriate way;

• • how learning develops as students move through secondary school;

• • how potentially sensitive subjects are handled;

• • how RSHE supports safeguarding and preparation for adult life.

The lessons shown are examples rather than the complete curriculum. Individual schools determine how their RSHE curriculum is organised and may adapt resources to reflect the needs of their students and school community.

Across the RSHE curriculum, students learn about relationships, physical and mental health, personal safety, life online and the knowledge and skills they will need as they become increasingly independent.

The curriculum is “spiralled”. This means that learning is progressive: students establish important foundations when they are younger and return to topics with greater depth and complexity as they mature. For example, in Year 7, the topic of consent focuses on boundaries in friendships whereas, by year 10, consent is looked at in the context of intimate relationships and the law because this is more appropriate at this stage of a student’s learning and development.

Relationships

Students learn about areas such as:

• • friendships and healthy relationships;

• • respect, boundaries and consent;

• • communication and managing conflict;

• • recognising unhealthy or abusive behaviour;

• • stereotypes, sexism and misogyny;

• • intimate and adult relationships.

Staying Safe

The curriculum helps students recognise and respond to risks including:

• • pressure and coercion;

• • sexual harassment and abuse;

• • exploitation;

• • harmful online behaviour;

• • sharing sexual images;

• • pornography and its potential influence;

• • misinformation, deepfakes and emerging technologies.

Health and Wellbeing

Students also develop knowledge about:

• • mental and emotional wellbeing;

• • physical health and healthy lifestyles;

• • alcohol, drugs and other risk-taking behaviours;

• • puberty and sexual health;

• • contraception and sexually transmitted infections;

• • accessing health services and seeking help.

The precise order and timing of lessons will vary between schools. Topics are taught at an appropriate stage and build on students’ previous learning.

3. What does an RSHE lesson look like?

How lessons work

RSHE lessons are structured learning experiences. Although individual lessons vary, students will typically encounter a combination of:

1. Learning objectives
Students are told what they are learning and why the topic matters.

2. Previous learning
Teachers may revisit earlier knowledge so that students can make connections and build their understanding.

3. Teacher explanation
Teachers introduce accurate information, important concepts and key vocabulary.

4. Activities and discussion
Students might consider scenarios, discuss different viewpoints, watch a short video, complete an activity or apply their learning to a fictional situation.

5. Questions
Students have opportunities to ask questions. Teachers respond in a factual, appropriate and sensitive way.

6. Review and reflection
Activities such as quizzes, questions or short written tasks allow students and teachers to check understanding.

A safe environment for learning: students are not expected to disclose or discuss their own personal experiences.

Scenarios and examples allow students to explore situations at a safe distance rather than talking about their own lives.

Teachers establish expectations for respectful discussion, and sensitive subjects are approached carefully and in an age-appropriate way.

RSHE also has an important safeguarding role. Learning can help students recognise when something is unsafe or unhealthy and understand how and where to seek help.

If a pupil makes a safeguarding disclosure during or following a lesson, the school’s normal safeguarding procedures apply.

RSHE is a statutory part of the secondary curriculum in England. It provides students with reliable information about relationships, health, safety and adult life and helps them recognise risks and know where to seek support.

Learning is sequenced so that students encounter topics at an appropriate stage. Earlier learning establishes foundations such as friendship, respect, boundaries and safety. More complex issues are introduced as students become older. Resources are sourced from the PSHE Association and UniFrog, the contents of which are created by teachers.

No. Students should not be required to disclose personal experiences. Lessons use fictional scenarios, discussion and other activities that allow students to explore issues without talking about their private lives.

Young people can encounter potentially harmful content and behaviours both online and offline. RSHE gives students opportunities to examine these issues critically, understand potential harms, recognise unacceptable behaviour and know how to seek help.

At Great Marlow School, we aim to be transparent with parents and carers about our RSHE curriculum and the materials used. The resources accompanying this guide provide a representative sample of the lessons available within this programme. Parents and carers should contact Great Marlow School should they wish to see specific resources or wish to discuss the contents.

There is no parental right to withdraw a child from Relationships Education, Health Education or relevant content within the National Curriculum for Science.

However, parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from some or all of the sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE, other than content also included within the science curriculum.

Parents who are considering withdrawal should contact Great Marlow School and consult our RSE/RSHE policy for further information.

The accompanying sample lessons have been chosen to demonstrate the breadth, progression and teaching approach of the secondary RSHE programme.

They include examples from different year groups and different areas of RSHE.

As you look through them, you may find it helpful to consider:

• • What are students being taught?

• • Why is this learning appropriate at this stage?

• • How does the lesson help students make safe, healthy and informed decisions?

For information about exactly how RSHE is delivered at Great Marlow School, please contact us directly.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10 Form Tutors

Year 10 Extra RSHE Curriculum

Year 11 Form Tutors

Year 11 Extra RSHE Curriculum