As part of your child’s education at Ifield Community College, we promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Relationship, Social, Health and Economic (RSHE) education programme; you may know this from primary schools as PSHE. RSHE is the curriculum subject that gives young people the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential. Within RSHE we also teach the topics of relationships and sex education (RSE), following the government’s statutory guidelines.

We have now transitioned to a curriculum-based format for RSHE, with fortnightly lessons that are supplemented by our personal development programme during tutor time. Some other areas and Citizenship content is also delivered through our ‘Personal Development’ programme in tutor time and in assemblies. These are both an integral part of our teaching time and formal school days. They help to prepare students for the future, covering a wide range of subjects such as personal finance, democratic rights, careers, bullying (including racism, sexism and homophobia), online safety, managing physical and mental health, developing self-esteem and confidence as well as the RSE curriculum. We are also looking to incorporate topical issues and changes such as AI, supporting those in need and the cost-of-living crisis. Doing so, aims to promote comprehensive understanding, allowing students to make informed decisions in society.

RSHE lessons will follow a half termly scheme in which topics will be built upon to consolidate knowledge. Topics will be developed across KS3 to KS4, allowing for appropriate learning tasks to be taught at the correct age. Our students see much value in these lessons as they help prepare them for future life and to better understand both themselves, other people and the world around them. RSHE is taught to every year group by heads of years, the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and the RSHE lead- Mr Ashton. Lessons and the curriculum are monitored and reviewed regularly by staff and the governing body and regular CPD is completed to gain further understanding of the topics taught. All RSHE teaching takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school ethos and values and is supported by an open learning environment that encourages students to be inquisitive.

Students MUST attend these lessons. The government changes to the curriculum mean that parents no longer have the right to remove their children from RSHE learning but they can still be withdrawn from sex education up to three terms before their 16^th birthday. After this the student has the legal right to ‘opt in’ and choose to be part of this learning. This does not apply to any learning about sex education within science lessons. It should be noted that no whole RSHE scheme of work is dedicated to just one topic (including sex education) so if you do choose to withdraw your child from this then they must still attend school, and a separate activity will be arranged for the period/session they cannot attend. It is also important to note that sex education is taught with an approach to delaying sexual activity and the risks surrounding early engagement, therefore aiming to be preventative measure. You must NOT allow your child to avoid attending school on days where RSHE is taught. This will be unauthorised absence and lead to your child missing vital information on topics such as road safety, futures, online safety and vital life skills.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of removal from sex education lessons taught as part of the RSHE curriculum, can you please contact the Headteacher directly and explain your reasons for removal.

Our approach to sex education within all years is always age appropriate, eventually covering topics such as prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, consent and the law regarding sexual activity. All lessons are aimed at keeping our students safe and do not encourage under-age sexual activity. As a school community, we are committed to working in partnership with parents; in the past parental feedback has indicated that most parents continue to be highly supportive of the RSHE programme. If you would like to find out more or discuss any concerns, you can contact myself at [email protected].

As a school we are keen to work alongside parents and develop greater transparency around the RSHE curriculum.

If you would like to find out more or discuss any concerns, please email Mrs Vaughan