RSHE
Relationship Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
Why is RSHE important?
For our students, RSHE is crucial as it supports them in acquiring the knowledge they need to handle many of the important opportunities, difficulties, and responsibilities they will encounter in life. For many autistic students this needs to be explicitly taught. We teach students about healthy relations, maintaining their physical and mental well-being, taking ownership of their own actions and behaviours, exercising initiative, and developing empathy, self-worth, and resilience. All of these abilities will help students grow more independent, overcome learning obstacles, boost their ambitions, and improve their prospects of success in future life.
What do students learn?
KS3
Our Key Stage 3 Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum is delivered in line with statutory Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education guidance. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that topics are taught at an age-appropriate stage and in a way that reflects the needs, maturity and experiences of our students.
Across Years 7 to 9, students explore themes including families, friendships, respectful relationships, health and wellbeing, personal safety, puberty, consent, substance misuse, equality and diversity. Students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to make informed decisions, keep themselves safe, build positive relationships and prepare for adult life. RSHE is not only taught through dedicated lessons but is also woven throughout the wider curriculum and daily school life, reinforcing key messages around wellbeing, inclusion, safeguarding, respect and personal development. Through this approach, students are supported to become confident, healthy and responsible members of their communities.
KS45
The KS45 curriculum provides a mature, structured approach to personal development, helping learners understand themselves, others and the complexities of growing up. It develops emotional awareness, resilience and the ability to form healthy, respectful relationships. Students explore how to recognise positive and negative behaviours, manage challenging situations and communicate their needs confidently.
The curriculum also builds a strong foundation in physical and mental wellbeing, including understanding body changes, consent, boundaries and how different choices can affect long‑term health.
Important safeguarding themes are addressed in an age‑appropriate way, giving learners the awareness needed to identify and respond to risks such as coercion, exploitation, harmful online behaviour, abusive relationships, extremism and substance misuse.
Across all areas, students are encouraged to think critically ,seek support when needed and develop the independence required to make safe, informed and responsible decisions as they move toward adulthood.