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Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy

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Co-op Academy Walkden

Approved by: Principal

Approved in: September 2025

Review by: September 2026

Person responsible for implementation & monitoring: Kate Walker/Leanne Heppolette

1. Introduction

This policy outlines Co-op Academy Walkden’s approach to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), in line with the statutory guidance on Relationships Education, RSE, and Health Education published by the Department for Education in July 2025. As a secondary academy, we are committed to delivering high-quality RSE that supports pupils’ personal development, safeguards their wellbeing, and prepares them for adult life.

We are required to provide Relationships Education and RSE to all pupils under section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017. In teaching RSE, we must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State, as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996.

RSE is taught as part of our broader Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum, promoting positive relationships, health, and safety. We aim to create a safe, inclusive environment where pupils can discuss sensitive topics respectfully.

School Context Co-op Academy Walkden serves the communities of Worsley, South Walkden, and Boothstown. The school has capacity for 1,500 pupils aged 11 to 16, from a range of backgrounds. This policy was produced by K. Walker and L. Heppolette following consultation with staff, pupils, and Community Councillors. Parents and carers will be informed when the policy is updated, and it will be available online.

2. Aims

Our overarching aims are to develop pupils as individuals, each valued in their own right, and to promote a positive self-image. We aim to:

Provide accurate, age-appropriate information to help pupils make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and wellbeing.
Foster respect for self and others, promote equality, and challenge discrimination.
Equip pupils with skills to recognise and manage risks, including online harms and unhealthy relationships.
Support the development of resilience, self-esteem, and positive values.
Encourage care for others, the ability to form constructive relationships, and responsibility for others’ welfare.
Help pupils understand morally, ethically, and legally acceptable behaviours.
Deliver factual information about safer sex, healthy relationships, and contraception.

3. Statutory Requirements

Relationships Education is compulsory for all secondary pupils. While Sex Education is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended to safeguard pupils. Health Education is also compulsory and integrated where relevant.

This policy adheres to the July 2025 statutory guidance, which emphasises age-appropriate teaching, parental involvement, and inclusivity.

4. Differentiating Relationships and Sex Education

To ensure clarity for parents, we distinguish between:

Relationships Education (compulsory): Covers the building blocks of positive relationships, including family, friendships, and intimate relationships. Topics include consent, online safety, stereotypes, and recognising unhealthy relationships. It addresses sexual violence and exploitation to keep pupils safe but does not detail sexual activity.
Sex Education (non-compulsory): Builds on Relationships Education to include factual information about sexual health, contraception, STIs, pregnancy, and reproductive health. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from these elements (see Section 8).

This distinction ensures transparency and supports pupils in making informed choices in a caring environment. RSE is delivered from Year 7 to Year 11 to increase awareness and promote safety.

5. Subject Content

RSE is taught progressively across Key Stages 3 and 4. By the end of secondary school, pupils should understand:

Relationships Education:

Families: Types of committed relationships; parental roles; recognising unsafe relationships.
Respectful Relationships: Healthy friendships; conflict resolution; bullying and stereotypes; equality law; sexual harassment.
Online and Media: Online rights and risks; impact of harmful content; laws on sharing indecent images.
Being Safe: Consent; laws on exploitation, abuse, domestic violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence, and FGM.

Sex Education:

Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health: Healthy relationships; reproductive health; managing pressure; contraception; pregnancy options; STIs and HIV/AIDS; regular health checks.

Content is accurate, impartial, and signposts support services. Sensitive topics are handled to promote safety without normalising harm.

6. Delivery of RSE

RSE is delivered through PSHE lessons, PD sessions, assemblies, and cross-curricular links (e.g., Science). It follows a spiral curriculum:

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9): Focus on foundational knowledge, including healthy relationships, consent, online safety, and puberty.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11): Deeper exploration of sexual health and preparation for adulthood.

Teaching methods include discussions, guest speakers, and interactive activities in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Content is responsive to pupils’ maturity and local needs.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Internal Staff: RSE is taught by trained PSHE teachers and form tutors. The PSHE Lead, Leanne Heppolette, oversees the curriculum, supported by Kate Walker (Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development).

External Providers: Specialist organisations may support delivery. All providers are vetted and aligned with school values. Parents may request access to resources.

Governors: Approve the policy and hold the Principal accountable.

Principal: Ensures consistent delivery and manages withdrawal requests.

Staff: Deliver RSE sensitively, model positive attitudes, monitor progress, and respond to pupil needs. Staff cannot opt out of teaching RSE.

Pupils: Expected to engage respectfully and sensitively.

Delivery Environment: Group agreements are established to ensure safety. KS3 pupils are taught in consistent groups; KS4 pupils in PD groups. Staff promote discussion but do not offer one-to-one counselling on contraception or sexual activity.

8. Parental Withdrawal Rights

Parents may request withdrawal from Sex Education (excluding Science, Relationships, or Health Education). Requests must be made in writing to the Headteacher.

The Headteacher will discuss the request with parents and the pupil. In exceptional cases, withdrawal may be refused. Pupils withdrawn will receive alternative education.

From three terms before turning 16, pupils may opt into Sex Education regardless of parental withdrawal.

9. Accessibility and Inclusion

RSE is inclusive and accessible, in line with the SEND Code of Practice. Adaptations include:

Differentiated resources (visual aids, simplified language)
Small-group or one-to-one support
Collaboration with SENDCo and external specialists
Consideration of EHCPs

All pupils receive equitable education regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

The PSHE Lead monitors RSE delivery through lesson observations and stakeholder feedback.