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Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)

Relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is a statutory requirement in the Curriculum for Wales framework and is mandatory for all students from ages 3 to 16.

RSE should  allow students to:

  • consider local, national and international contexts

  • develop understanding of relationships and sexuality education, human rights education and diversity, and careers and work-related experiences

 

Helping students to form and maintain a range of relationships, all based on mutual trust and respect  is the foundation of RSE. These relationships are critical to the development of emotional well-being, resilience and empathy. An understanding of sexuality with an emphasis on rights, health, equality and equity empowers students to understand themselves, take responsibility for their own decisions and behaviours, and form relationships that are fully inclusive, reflecting diversity and promoting respect. The world around us is evolving rapidly and significantly. As a society we are becoming ever more aware of:

  • changing family structures and relationships

  • shifting social, cultural and religious norms in relation to sex, gender and sexuality

  • advances in technology including the rising influence of social media and increased use of digital communications and devices

  • changing laws and rights around relationships, sex, gender and sexuality

 

High-quality RSE provision will support students to critically engage with what they are learning and experiencing. This supports them to understand their values and beliefs and to advocate for respect and understanding of others.The learning for RSE refers to both what is taught expressly and what is embedded throughout the curriculum and in the school environment through the whole-school approach.

RSE  should: 

  • Address the context of children’s rights (UNCRC) another cross cutting theme.

  • Show inclusivity, including LGBTQ+ .

  • Draw on and from and through  all AoLEs.

  • Recognise and reflect the needs and contexts of the communities within and beyond the school.

  • Ensure all  practitioners contribute to the school’s RSE priorities,

 

RSE in the curriculum focuses on three broad strands and  cover: relationships; rights and equity; sex, gender and sexuality; bodies and body image; sexual health and well-being; and violence, safety and support:

  • Relationships and identity: helping students develop the skills they need to develop healthy, safe, and fulfilling relationships with others and helping them to make sense of their thoughts and feelings.

https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/7563a23c-98f6-4147-a8c5-92fe48fa5898/1-relationships-and-identity-strand-mandatory-content.pdf

  • Sexual health and well-being: helping students to draw on factual sources regarding their sexual and reproductive health and well-being, allowing them to make informed decisions throughout their lives.

https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/421e40ad-dbc6-4d6c-ba38-7d49433a1019/2-sexual-health-and-well-being-strand-mandatory-content.pdf

  • Empowerment, safety and respect: helping to protect students from all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse and neglect and enabling them to recognise unsafe or harmful relationships and situations, supporting them to recognise when, how and where to seek support and advice.

https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/a25c8a68-6ec7-4e8c-a33d-12e22bca7fea/3-empowerment-safety-and-respect-strand-mandatory-content.pdf

R.S.E is delivered by trained staff as part of a planned programme throughout Key Stage 3. students work together in a safe environment where open, supportive discussion is encouraged. Student learning is supported by the learning fit practice of reflecting on what is being learnt, why we are learning about specific topics, and how this relates to young people’s lives.  A range of learning approaches are adopted, including creative activities, research tasks, and reflective tasks that promote connection to topics on a personal level. Sources of advice, information and support are signposted throughout the programme, both in-school, locally and nationally via digital workbooks in the well-being Google Classroom. Student voice forms a valuable element in planning and evaluating the programme, with the aim of providing tailored provision that meets the needs of students.