Relationships and Sex Education

What is Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)?

RSE is about the emotional, social and cultural development of pupils, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity. RSE is not about the promotion of sexual activity.

The government recently changed the law around the statutory duty of schools and student’s legal entitlement to Relationships and Sex Education, as part of its review into relationships and sex education in England. It is a statutory requirement that all schools in England and Wales teach Relationships and Sex Education as a fundamental part of their curriculum.

As part of our Personal Development curriculum, we promote wellbeing and personal development through a comprehensive RSE education programme. RSE gives young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy and productive lives, meeting their full potential.

We believe that promoting the health and well-being of our pupils is an important part of their overall education. We believe that it is necessary for young people to learn about personal safety and relationships, in an age-relevant and age-appropriate way.

RSE at DTW provides an opportunity for all pupils to:

• Learn about themselves and others;
• Understand how to be safe and healthy, now and into their futures;
• Understand how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way;
• Learn about wellbeing and mental health;
• Develop resilience;
• Become equipped with the knowledge and capability to take care of themselves and know where to receive support if problems arise.

What do pupils learn about in RSE?

• Different types of relationships, including friendships, family relationships, intimate relationships, dealing with strangers;
• Their legal rights and responsibilities relating to the relationships with others, including relating to equality; consent and sexual harassment and forms of abuse;
• How to recognise, understand and build healthy relationships, including self-respect and respect for others, commitment, boundaries, consent, and how to manage conflict
• Healthy relationships and e-safety;
• How to recognise unhealthy relationships, abuse and the law;
• How relationships may affect health and wellbeing, including mental health;
• Diversity and identity;
• Factual knowledge around sex, sexual health, sexuality and identity.

For further information please see our Personal Development curriculum page 

Consultation with parents and carers

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers on Relationships and Sex Education by:
• Keeping the RSE consultation open for the academic year 2023-24,
• Writing to parents and carers informing them about our RSE curriculum, including giving details of what is being taught; guidance on how to support conversations around these topics at home
• Having our RSE curriculum available for viewing on the school website
• Having information available during open days and parents’ evenings to provide additional opportunities for parents and carers to discuss our RSE curriculum with us
• Encouraging parents and carers to contact school to discuss our RSE curriculum,
• Regular opportunities are also available for pupils to help inform our RSE curriculum, including through pupil voice/ leadership activities.
If you would like to discuss any parts of the RSE curriculum and make any suggestions for further improvements, then please do not hesitate to contact Mr Floweth – office@deantrustwigan.co.uk

Click here to see the RSE Curriculum Overview

Click here to download The Dean Trust Relationships and Sex Education Policy

Special Educational Needs 

We believe that RSE is a priority for all pupils, including students with SEN who have social, emotional and mental health needs and learning disabilities. We recognise that young people who with SEN can be particularly vulnerable members of society, as perpetrators often target the most vulnerable, who as a result may experience exploitation, abuse and bullying.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that learners with SEN are supported to understand RSE in an age-appropriate way.

Parental Right To Withdraw

At DTW we understand the importance of educating pupils about sex, relationships and their health, for them to make responsible and well-informed decisions in their lives. The teaching of RSE and health education helps to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. RSE supports the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of students at school and in wider society. We have an obligation to provide pupils with high-quality, evidence and age-appropriate teaching of these subjects.

If you have any queries or questions relating to Relationships and Sex Education at Dean Trust Wigan you can contact office@deantrustwigan.co.uk

Relationships and Sex Education is part of all pupils’ education, and it is hoped that all will participate. However, the school acknowledges that, under the DFE Relationship & Sex Guidance for 2020, parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Sex Education programme, except for that part which occurs in the National Science Curriculum. Parents need to be aware, however, that Sex Education can occur at any time if it arises naturally from class discussion.

Parents wishing to exercise that right are asked to make an appointment to meet with the Subject Leader of PSHE to discuss their concerns and if necessary, school will make alternative arrangements.  Alternatively, parents can write to the Headteacher to request this, using the email above.

It should be noted that under the new guidance, a child can request to receive sex education three terms before the child turns 16.