We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why, from September 2020, all secondary age children had to include Relationships, Sex and Health Education.

These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated – these changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child.

At Consett Academy we have the flexibility to deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of its students. We do this through the Aspire program during Tutor time with additional support sessions being delivered throughout the year to build on this.

Relationships and Sex Education

Relationships and Sex Education will build on the teaching at primary. It aims to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds.

Students will cover content on what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like and what makes a good friend, colleague and successful marriage or committed relationship. At the appropriate time, the focus will move to developing intimate relationships, to equip students with the knowledge they need to make safe, informed and healthy choices as they progress through adult life.

By the end of secondary school, students will have been taught content on:

• families

• respectful relationships, including friendships

• online media

• being safe

• intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health

Health Education

Health Education aims to give students the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise.

By the end of secondary school, students will have been taught content on:

• mental wellbeing
• internet safety and harms
• physical health and fitness
• healthy eating
• drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• health and prevention
• basic first aid
• changing adolescent body

The important lessons you teach your child about healthy relationships, looking after themselves and staying safe, are respected and valued under this new curriculum. Teaching at school will complement and reinforce the lessons you teach your child as they grow up.

You cannot withdraw your child from Health Education or the Relationships Education element of Relationships and Sex Education, because it is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and how to stay safe.

If you do not want your child to take part in some or all of the Sex Education lessons delivered at secondary, you can ask that they are withdrawn. A member of the Senior Leadership Team will consider this request and discuss it with you, and will grant this in all but exceptional circumstances, up until three school terms before your child turns 16. At this age, your child can choose to receive Sex Education if they would like to, and the school should arrange for your child to receive this teaching in one of those three terms (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

The science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction, which there is no right to withdraw from.

You can find further details by searching ‘relationships, sex and health education’ on GOV.UK