Relationships, Sex and Health Education
The Department for Education announced changes to Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE). These changes were originally due to come into effect from September 2020 but were delayed in response to disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools were subsequently expected to begin teaching RSHE from Spring 2021 and further expected to implement the complete programme of learning from September 2021.
The new RSHE guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, will give young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and will help them take responsibility for their own well-being.
Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way. (DfE statutory guidance document).
At Harton, we aim to promote character education, personal well-being and personal development. The RSHE programme will complement our own personal development programme to make certain our students receive the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and attributes to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
The topics specified in RSHE are taught in Social and Cultural Studies.
In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) students receive three periods of teaching a fortnight which includes the requirements of RSHE and religious education.
In Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) students receive one period a week which includes the requirements of RSHE and religious education. For the academic year 2021-22 only, an additional period of teaching has been added to some Year 11 timetables to ensure the requirements of RSHE can be met and curriculum time in core subjects remains protected.