RSE

High Well School specifically delivers Relationship and Sex Education through its PPF curriculum and Science lessons through KS2 to KS4 and is in line with 2020 updates (2025 updates to follow).

Much of the Relationship and Sex Education at High Well School takes place within PPF lessons. Tutors generally deliver the PPF Curriculum with support from professionals where appropriate including Spectrum.

RSE lessons are always age appropriate and are set within the wider context of the PPF curriculum, focusing more on the emotional aspects of development and relationships, although the physical aspects of puberty and reproduction are also included. The Science National Curriculum is delivered by staff in the science department. These lessons are more concerned with the physical aspects of development and reproduction, although the importance of relationships is not forgotten.

The PPF curriculum and Science National Curriculum are taught in every year.

Any RSE lesson may consider questions or issues that some students will find sensitive. Before embarking on these lessons ground rules are established which prohibit inappropriate personal information being requested or disclosed by those taking part in the lesson. When students ask questions, we aim to answer them honestly, within the ground rules established at the start of the sessions. When it is felt that answering a specific question would involve information at a level inappropriate to the development to the rest of the students, the question may be dealt with individually at another time.

Relationship and Sex Education in our school has three main elements:

Attitudes and Value

learning the importance of values, individual conscience and moral choices;
learning the value of family life, stable and loving relationships, and marriage;
learning about the nurture of children;
learning the value of respect, love and care;
exploring, considering and understanding moral dilemmas;
developing critical thinking as part of decision-making
challenging myths, misconceptions and false assumptions about normal behaviour.

Personal and Social Skills

learning to manage emotions and relationships confidentially and sensitively;
developing self-respect and empathy for others;
learning to make choices with an absence of prejudice;
developing an appreciation of the consequences of choices made;
managing conflict;
empower students with the skills to be able to avoid inappropriate pressures or advances (both as exploited or exploiter)

Knowledge and Understanding

learning and understanding physical development at appropriate stages;
understanding human sexuality, reproduction, sexual health, emotions and relationships;
learning about contraception and the range of local and national sexual health advice, contraception and support services;
learning the reasons for delaying sexual activity, and the benefits to be gained from such delay;
the avoidance of unplanned pregnancy.

Right of withdrawal of students from relationship and sex education

Some parents / carers prefer to take the responsibility for aspects of this element of education. Unless there are exceptional circumstances parents will continue to have a right to request to withdraw their child from sex education delivered as part of RSE, except for those parts included in the National statutory Curriculum (i.e. in science lessons), from relationships education (including LGBTQ+ relationships), and health and wellbeing education. Withdrawal from these RSE lessons should be granted up to and including three terms before their child turns 16. At this point, if the child themselves wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school will make arrangements for this to happen in one of the three terms before the child turns 16 - the legal age of sexual consent. All requests to withdraw should be discussed with the class teacher and RSE Lead in order to understand the reasons behind the request, and to ensure that parents/carers fully understand the content that will be delivered to pupils before making this decision.

Following government updates to the RSE guidelines, there is no right to withdraw from Relationships or Health Education from September 2020 as the contents of these subjects – such as family, friendship, safety (including online safety), contraception and sexual health – are important for all children to be taught. Parents are encouraged to discuss their decisions with staff at the earliest opportunity. Parents are always welcome to review any RSE resources our school uses.

For pupils in KS2, parents have the right to withdraw from relationships and sex education. In this instance they will need to discuss with the class teacher in order to find a suitable alternative during these lessons.