Relationships and Sex Education

RSE is an important part of our Wavell WISE curriculum. It helps students understand and build healthy, respectful relationships with family, friends, and themselves, and supports their emotional and mental wellbeing.

While the term "sex education" is used, most lessons focus on relationships, what makes them healthy, safe, and supportive. Students also learn to recognise and report unsafe situations and to respect equality and diversity in all relationships.

From September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) became statutory for all secondary schools in England.

At The Wavell School, RSE is taught as part of our Wavell WISE (PSHE) curriculum and helps students to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to form healthy, respectful relationships and make informed, responsible choices throughout their lives.

Our lessons are age-appropriate, inclusive, and sensitive to students’ backgrounds and beliefs. We also work closely with parents and carers to ensure clarity and confidence in how these important topics are taught.

Please click the following links to see what the Department for Education (DfE) require your child to be taught by the time they leave The Wavell:

Families

The different types of committed, stable relationships that exist in society
How healthy relationships and family life contribute to wellbeing and happiness
The legal status and importance of marriage and civil partnerships
That “common-law marriage” is a myth – living together does not provide the same legal rights as marriage
That forced marriage and marriage under the age of 18 are illegal
How families can change over time (birth, separation, bereavement, new relationships)
The roles and responsibilities of parents and the importance of early childhood development
How to recognise unsafe or unhealthy relationships and where to seek help

Respectful Relationships, Including Friendships

The characteristics of positive relationships (trust, kindness, honesty, respect, consent, and boundaries)
The importance of self-esteem, independence, and healthy friendships
How to treat others with respect, including people with different beliefs or backgrounds
How to communicate and manage conflict respectfully
The impact of bullying (including online), how to report it, and how to seek support
That consent involves care, kindness and awareness of power dynamics – not just a “yes” or “no”
How stereotypes or prejudice (sexism, racism, homophobia, ableism, etc.) can cause harm
How pornography and certain online cultures (such as misogynistic or “incel” communities) can distort attitudes towards sex and relationships

Online Safety and Awareness

How to stay safe online and act responsibly in all digital spaces
That any material shared online can spread beyond their control
How to recognise fake or harmful online content, including deepfakes and AI-generated material
That sharing sexual or indecent images of anyone under 18 (even themselves) is illegal
How to report concerns or seek help if something is shared online
How to recognise and report online scams, sextortion or coercive behaviour
How online spaces can influence perceptions of body image, relationships and normal behaviour
How data is collected and used, and how to protect personal information online

Being Safe

How to recognise and communicate consent and boundaries
How to respond to pressure and avoid putting pressure on others
How to identify unsafe, abusive or exploitative relationships and where to seek support
How to stay safe in public and social spaces
That sexual harassment, sexual violence, and coercive control are never acceptable or the victim’s fault
About the laws relating to:
- Sexual consent, sexual assault and rape
- Domestic abuse and coercive control
- Grooming, exploitation and trafficking
- FGM, forced marriage and so-called “honour-based” violence
- Strangulation and suffocation offences
How and where to get medical and emotional support after experiencing or witnessing abuse

Intimate and Sexual Relationships, Including Sexual Health

That sexual relationships should always be mutual, consensual and positive
The law on age of consent and that sex should only take place when both people feel ready
That not all relationships involve sex and that choice is always respected
The emotional and physical aspects of sexual health and wellbeing
Contraception options and how to access reliable information and services
The facts about STIs, HIV, and preventative treatments such as PrEP and PEP
The effects of alcohol and drugs on decision-making and consent
That there are choices around pregnancy, and where to access impartial, factual advice
How to challenge misinformation and find medically accurate information and support

Parents’ Right to Withdraw

Parents/carers have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from the non-statutory elements of sex education within the RSE curriculum. This right applies throughout secondary school until the child approaches their 16th birthday.

Specifically, the right to withdraw must be made before the start of the school term that falls three full terms prior to the child turning 16. After this point (three terms before their 16th birthday), the decision about participation in sex education lies with the student, in line with statutory Department for Education guidance.

Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing using the school’s RSE Withdrawal Request Form, which is available to download below:

RSE Withdrawal Request Form

The completed form should be addressed to the Headteacher.

A copy of any withdrawal request will be placed in the student’s educational record.

The Headteacher will meet with parents/carers to discuss the request and confirm the decision in writing. In exceptional circumstances (for example, safeguarding concerns or a student’s specific vulnerability), the Headteacher may refuse a request to withdraw a student from sex education.

Students who are withdrawn will be provided with alternative schoolwork during those lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions – Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

To support your understanding of how Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is taught at The Wavell School, please see the FAQs below:

How does the school decide when to teach certain RSE content? Is it age-appropriate?

Yes. The PSHE Department carefully plans lessons using Department for Education statutory guidance and nationally recognised PSHE Association resources.

Topics are taught through a spiral curriculum, meaning they are revisited in an age-appropriate way as students mature.

We also use feedback from staff, pastoral teams, and local or national trends to ensure that content is relevant to students’ needs.

All lesson materials are reviewed by trained staff and senior leaders before delivery, and lessons are information-based rather than advisory.

How is LGBTQ+ content taught?

We do not teach LGBTQ+ content as a separate topic. Instead, inclusion and respect for all identities are embedded throughout our PSHE and RSE curriculum.

We follow the Equality Act 2010, teaching that everyone is unique and equal regardless of sex, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

Students learn about different family structures, identities, and relationships as part of understanding equality, kindness, and respect.

Do you use external speakers or single-sex sessions?

Sometimes, to enhance learning and ensure that sensitive topics are delivered effectively, we may choose to use quality-assured external visitors or deliver single-sex or mixed-gender sessions.

All external speakers are carefully checked, approved, and their materials reviewed by Wavell staff to ensure they meet our high standards and align with our values, curriculum aims, and safeguarding procedures.

These sessions are always planned to be appropriate for the students’ age and level of maturity and are delivered under the supervision of Wavell staff.

Do you teach about pornography?

Yes, we address this sensitively and responsibly as part of our commitment to keeping students safe.

Students are taught that pornography often presents an unrealistic and harmful view of relationships, consent, and body image.

Lessons focus on critical thinking, self-respect, and understanding that healthy relationships are based on mutual care, equality, and genuine consent.

No pornographic images or explicit material are ever shown.

Do you teach about sexting?

Yes. Students learn about the legal, emotional, and safety risks associated with sending or sharing sexual images.

They are taught that it is illegal to create or share explicit images of anyone under 18, even of themselves, and how to respond if pressured or if something is shared without consent.

This links closely with lessons on consent, respect, online safety, and healthy boundaries.

Do you teach about pregnancy and parenting?

Yes. Students learn factual information about pregnancy, contraception, and different options, including keeping the baby, adoption, and abortion.

These lessons are informative, not advisory, and are taught with care and sensitivity.

We also discuss the emotional and practical responsibilities involved in parenting to help students understand the realities of adult life.

Do you teach about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

Yes. Students are taught about the causes, prevention, and treatment of STIs, including HIV, and the importance of regular testing and safer sex.

Lessons provide factual, non-judgemental information to help students make informed, responsible choices about their health and wellbeing.

How do PSHE teachers answer difficult or unexpected questions?

All PSHE staff receive training on how to respond to sensitive or challenging questions appropriately for the student’s age and level of understanding.

If a question raises concern, staff will follow the school’s safeguarding procedures to ensure the student’s safety and wellbeing.

How can I talk to my child about relationships and sex at home?

We encourage open, honest communication between parents and children.

The following resources can support you in starting age-appropriate conversations:

I want to talk to my child about LGBTQ+ topics but don’t know the right language to use.

We understand that this can feel daunting.

Our PSHE Department has developed a Glossary of Terms (based on Stonewall guidance and national training) to help both staff and parents use inclusive, respectful language.
LGBTQ+ Glossary of Terms