Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
‘To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, pupils need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. Pupils can also put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks, challenges and complex contexts. Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. These subjects can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support.’
Department for Education - Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education Statutory guidance 2019
At St. Osmund’s CE Middle School, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is a critical element of our teaching of ‘safeguarding’. Content is delivered through the PSHE curriculum by subject staff who have received training from Dorset health professionals. It is also covered within the school science curriculum. St. Osmund’s was an Early Adopter of the new RSE guidelines 2019-2020.
Being a middle school, St. Osmund’s RSE curriculum adheres to elements of both the primary and secondary RSE national expectations in order to cater for our age range of children. Details of curriculum content can be found within the PSHE and science subject sections of this website along with copies of relevant Knowledge Organisers and additional resources.
In order that provision for our pupils is seamless through the three-tier school system in Dorchester, network links are maintained with both our catchment first schools and middle and upper school as part of the Wessex MAT. Staff from each tier meet to monitor curriculum provision and new developments.
For children with SEND or those who may struggle to engage with topic content, arrangements are made for support from suitably experienced teaching assistants and SEND staff.
Information and support materials for parents and carers can be found below, including St. Osmund’s powerpoint presentation Guidance for parents and carers with commentary delivered by a member of our PSHE staff. Within this presentation the topic of parental request for a child to be withdrawn from sex education is covered. Further details on this can be found on the Department for Education: Statutory Guidance – Introduction to requirements (September 2021)
Parents and pupils were consulted as part of the introduction process when implementing the new curriculum (please see details of this below). RSE provision is regularly reviewed with parents along with feedback from pupils which is undertaken annually via school Student Voice surveys and discussions.
Louisa Macnair PSHE Lead
Claire Davies Designated Safeguarding Lead
