Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
Our RSE provision is underpinned by our comprehensive RSE Policy which can be found here. The government advice and guidance we follow can be found here.
We consulted with parents and carers on our policy and have ensured that all provision is age appropriate and with an emphasis on keeping children safe. With this in mind, our teaching includes reference to what relationships are and what safe relationships look like.
For total transparency, an overview of our provision by year groups is provided below. Parents and carers may choose to exercise their right to request samples of teaching materials or contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Nichola Baker nba@hathershaw.org.uk for more information.
Year 7
Themes | Content | Curriculum Area |
What factors make a positive relationship? |
What is most important to me in my relationships with friends, family? What makes a relationship happy or unhappy? What communication skills would help me in my relationships? |
Citizenship |
How do I judge if I have a healthy relationship with a friend, family member or peer? |
Recognise the features of a safe relationship Recognise the signs of an unhealthy relationship Report unhealthy relationships |
Citizenship |
What is the best way to challenge bullying and prejudice? |
What are the types of bullying? Impact it can have on individuals Responsibilities- including bystanders to report and get help |
Citizenship |
Mental Health |
How to talk about their emotions accurately and sensitively, using appropriate vocabulary That happiness is linked to being connected to others How to recognise the early signs of mental wellbeing concerns Common types of mental ill health (e.g. anxiety and depression) |
Citizenship |
Marriage and the law |
Legal status and protection of marriage Why should marriage be freely entered into? What is a civil partnership? |
Citizenship |
How does physical activity help with both my physical and mental wellbeing? |
Promotion of mental health through exercise Promotion of team sports and relationships |
PE |
How does family break up affect us? |
Coping with a family breakup Speaking about feelings Support |
Citizenship |
What new laws have been created to protect us? |
Sexting and up skirting FGM and the law |
Citizenship |
How do I keep myself safe online? |
Keeping safe when online:
|
Computing |
How does pornography distort positive relationships? |
What is pornography? Why is it misleading? How can it damage our relationships? |
Citizenship |
Reproduction |
Reproduction (main parts of both male and female reproductive system and their function) Why do boys get erections? |
Science |
Reproduction |
Relationships Healthy lifestyle and fertility Pregnancy and miscarriage |
Citizenship |
Fertilisation and implantation |
(sexual intercourse, arousal, penetration, ejaculation, implantation of egg) |
Science |
Development of a foetus |
(gestation, where baby grows, structures inside the uterus – placenta, umbilical cord, fluid sac, briefly mention birth) |
Science |
Adolescence |
(puberty, physical changes, sex hormones briefly introduced) |
Science |
The Menstrual cycle |
(periods, ovulation, contraception – condoms and contraceptive pill, briefly mention STIs) |
Science |
Year 8
Themes | Content | Curriculum Area |
What are the protected characteristics? |
Learn what the nine characteristics are: Sex, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership Understand the equality act 2010 Understand how stereotyping can cause harm for people |
Citizenship |
Why do relationships change during adolescence? |
Develop an understanding of how hormones can affect you Develop an understanding of how your relationships may change with family and friends Learn to manage thoughts and feelings |
Citizenship |
How do I determine if other children, adults or sources of information are trustworthy? |
Reflect on what makes a healthy relationship Learn from examples of where peers have trusted the wrong people Spot the signs of untrustworthy people on the internet |
Citizenship |
What can I do when family and friendships break-up? |
Further develop an understanding of strategies to cope with a break up |
Citizenship |
How does how I feel about my body affect my self-esteem? |
Understand that a healthy lifestyle helps and physical exercise can maintain good mental health Healthy eating can help with health in general and help prevent tooth decay and cancer Understand how the media use strategies to make people look different and that we shouldn’t use media pictures as goals for our own bodies |
Citizenship |
What is sexual harassment and how do I spot the signs? |
Identify what sexual harassment is Learn how to keep myself safe How to report sexual harassment and online sexual harassment |
Citizenship |
What are the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco to your physical and mental health? |
The facts about legal and illegal drugs and their associated risks, including the link between drug use, and the associated risks, including the link to serious mental health conditions The law relating to the supply and possession of illegal substances The physical and psychological risks associated with alcohol consumption and what constitutes low risk alcohol consumption in adulthood The physical and psychological consequences of addiction, including alcohol dependency Awareness of the dangers of drugs which are prescribed but still present serious health risks The facts about the harms from smoking tobacco (particularly the link to lung cancer), the benefits of quitting and how to access support to do so |
Citizenship |
Further understand puberty |
Am I normal? What is normal for my age? If I am a late developer, will I catch up? Use examples of others to learn how everyone is different Learn how do hormones affect boys and girls differently? |
Citizenship |
How does physical activity help with both my physical and mental wellbeing? |
The characteristics and evidence of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, including the links between an inactive lifestyle and ill health, including cancer and cardio-vascular ill-health |
PE |
Basic First Aid |
Basic treatment for common injuries Life-saving skills, including how to administer CPR.15 The purpose of defibrillators and when one might be needed |
Science |
Year 9
Themes | Content | Curriculum Area |
Religion and homosexuality |
What do the main religions teach about homosexuality? |
Religious Education |
What infections can be caught from having sex? |
Physical and Chemical Defences (STIs – HIV, Chlamydia, how they’re transmitted, screening) What are the symptoms? What is the impact on your health? |
Science |
Sex education |
What is safer sex? Should everyone who is sexually active carry condoms? What is HIV and AIDS, how do you get it? Is it always through sex? Does sex always lead to pregnancy? How can conception be prevented? What are the different methods of contraception? Are some easier to use than others? When should emergency contraception be used? Who should be responsible for contraception/safer sex in a relationship? If someone is on the pill, why do they have to use a condom as well? Are all methods of contraception also protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV? About the prevalence of some STIs, the impact they can have on those who contract them and key facts about treatment Orgasm Can I negotiate this with my partner or should I trust them? How do I use a condom and does it affect sexual performance? The benefits of regular self-examination and screening. 38 Should I be responsible for contraception in a relationship? If I think I have a sexually transmitted infection, where can I get it treated? If a woman gets pregnant, what choices does she have? What are the best websites on sex and relationships for young people? How can I find out about local contraception and sexual health services, and what should I expect from them? Can I see a nurse or doctor in private? |
Citizenship |
Teenage pregnancy |
Know what it is like to be a teen and have a child What should I do if I feel I am being pressured into having sex? Is everybody having sex? What are the biggest influences on me and my friends’ sexual behaviour and health? What do different cultures and religions believe about sex and relationships? |
Citizenship |
Where can I access support about sexual health? |
What are my rights as a young person to information, sexual health services and confidentiality? What is the full range of services, help and information available to me, where can I find out about them and how can I make the most of these services? That there are choices in relation to pregnancy (with medically and legally accurate, impartial information on all options, including keeping the baby, adoption, abortion and where to get further help) |
Citizenship |
Consent- communicate |
How people can actively communicate and recognise consent from others, including sexual consent, and how and when consent can be withdrawn (in all contexts, including online) Add reporting sexual harassment |
Citizenship |
The realities of violence in the media and how it can affect our relationships |
Some pupils are also exposed to harmful behaviours online, and via other forms of media, which may normalise violent sexual behaviours. A focus on healthy relationships and broader Relationships Education can help young people understand acceptable behaviours in relationships |
Citizenship |
Why is it important to keep myself healthy? |
About personal hygiene About dental health and the benefits of good oral hygiene and dental flossing, including healthy eating and regular check-ups at the dentist The importance of sufficient good quality sleep for good health and how a lack of sleep can affect weight, mood and ability to learn |
Citizenship |
How does physical activity help with both my physical and mental wellbeing? |
Discuss more complex scientific terminology relating to physical and mental health Know about the science relating to blood, organ and stem cell donation- how being physically active can help support these causes as you are healthier |
PE |
Year 10
Themes | Content | Curriculum Area |
What does it mean to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? |
Case studies- realities of life coping with prejudice around gender and homophobia Further understanding- case studies- the difference between transvestite and trans-sexual Growing up in the wrong body Further look into different case studies Help and support |
Citizenship |
What is homophobia, what effect does it have on people and what can I do if I or a friend experience it? |
Understand the law and homophobia What problems does Homophobia cause? |
Citizenship |
What does it mean to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? |
Understand that love means love Understand why people stereotype gays and lesbians/ male, females and transgender/ and stigmatise people with STIs such as HIV Understand the difference between transvestite and trans-sexual |
Citizenship |
Consent- know your rights, know your responsibilities |
The concepts of, and laws relating to, sexual consent, sexual exploitation abuse, grooming, coercion, harassment, rape, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based violence and female genital mutilation, and how these can affect current and future relationships Who can I talk to? What support is out there? |
Form Period |
Risky situations |
Can I negotiate this with my partner or should I trust them? I know that alcohol and drugs may affect sexual choices and behaviour - how can people reduce the risks from this? What are the qualities I should look for in a partner? How do people know when they are ready to have sex/be intimate with my boyfriend/girlfriend? Does drinking alcohol or using drugs affect my decisions about behaviour? |
Form Period |
Hormones |
Sex hormones – oestrogen and testosterone |
Science |
Menstrual Cycle |
In more detail than Y7 – menopause, menstruation, ovulation, contraception (male condom, diaphragm/cap, hormone pill or implant), what happens when egg is fertilised or not fertilised |
Science |
Hormones and Menstrual Cycle |
FSH, LH and how they control the menstrual cycle. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Clomifene therapy, IVF |
Science |
Year 11
Themes | Content | Curriculum Area |
Gender identity |
Exploring and understanding gender Case studies and look into gender identity Coping growing up in an ever changing world |
Citizenship |
What is the difference between love and sexual attraction? |
How will I know if I am in love? Is it normal to be attracted or in love with someone of the same gender? Does this mean I am gay or lesbian? Do you have to have sex to show someone you love them? How can I cope with strong feelings such as anger, sadness, desire and love? Learn what the most important aspects of a strong relationship with other people are What is acceptable touching and behaviour amongst my peers? Understand the complexities of having sex at an early age Explore the features of stable and healthy relationships to overcome conflict- same-sex relationships |
Citizenship |
What does it mean to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? |
Understand that love means love Understand why people stereotype gays and lesbians/ male, females and transgender/ and stigmatise people with STIs such as HIV Understand the difference between transvestite and trans-sexual. |
Citizenship |
Relationships and my mental health |
What is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in a relationship? This will help pupils understand the positive effects that good relationships have on their mental wellbeing, identify when relationships are not right and understand how such situations can be managed |
Citizenship |
Relationships and marriage |
Why do people get married or have a civil partnership? How different types of relationships contribute to human happiness and their importance for bringing up children That some types of behaviour within relationships are criminal, including violent behaviour and coercive control At what age is it legal to have sex? At what age is it legal to get married/ or have a civil partnership? |
Citizenship |
FGM- Further develop my understanding of FGM |
Schools should address the physical and emotional damage caused by female genital mutilation (FGM). They should also be taught where to find support and that it is a criminal offence to perform or assist in the performance of FGM or fail to protect a person for whom you are responsible from FGM. |
Citizenship/span> |
Spotting the signs of an abusive relationship (honour-based violence) |
What constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence and why these are always unacceptable That there are a range of strategies for identifying and managing sexual pressure, including understanding peer pressure, resisting pressure and not pressurising others What are the laws on sexual offences? Do people try to control or exploit one another through sexual relationships? How can I recognise when this might be happening and respond to it? What is the most effective way to resist pressure from friends or partner to do things I don’t want to do? How can I help a friend in an abusive relationship? Do males and females have different expectations in relationships? |
Citizenship |
Sexual harassment and the law |
What constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence and why these are always unacceptable That there are a range of strategies for identifying and managing sexual pressure, including understanding peer pressure, resisting pressure and not pressurising others What are the laws on sexual offences? Do people try to control or exploit one another through sexual relationships? How can I recognise when this might be happening and respond to it? What is the most effective way to resist pressure from friends or partner to do things I don’t want to do? How can I help a friend in an abusive relationship? Do males and females have different expectations in relationships? |
Citizenship |
How can I keep my data safe and secure and the risks of online gambling? |
How information and data is generated, collected, shared and used online The risks related to online gambling including the accumulation of debt, how advertising and information is targeted at them and how to be a discerning consumer of information online. |
Citizenship |