Co-op Academy Belle Vue recognises the importance that RSE can play in contributing to the development of healthy young people and our provision is designed to ensure that our pupils have access to all the teaching and resources that are required to enable them to make prudent judgements about relationships and sex. RSE is part of our CARE curriculum. 

 

The Definition of RSE

RSE is “lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of the importance of marriage and family life, stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care. It is about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health.” (RSE Guidance, DfE 0116/2000, para. 9 page 5) It is also about the development of the pupil’s knowledge and understanding of himself/herself as a sexual being, about what it means to be fully human, called to live in a right relationship with oneself, others and being enabled to make moral decisions according to an informed conscience.

 

Objectives

The academy will endeavour to deliver relationship and sex education within a moral and values based framework. This will be done through:

• Promotion of committed relationships and the value of family life
• Teaching self-respect, dignity, self‐restraint and respect for others
• Promotion of tolerance of all types of relationships, religions and personal views
• Encourage students to reflect on their own relationships in order to develop an understanding of themselves
• Ensure that students appreciate the benefits of stable married life and the responsibilities of parenthood.
• Help students to recognise the physical, emotional and moral risks of casual and promiscuous sexual behaviour
• Present biological facts in an objective and balanced manner and to use appropriate terminology to enable students to discuss issues without embarrassment or fear of ridicule.
• Develop an awareness of an individual’s legal responsibilities in relation to sexual behaviour.
• Ensure other models of family and relationships are recognised and understood.
• Regular reviewing of the RSE programme to ensure it meets the needs of students

 

Information for Families

Our full policy on RSE is available here.

Our letter to families regarding the 2023/2024 consultation is available here.

The results of the consultation into RSE for 2023/2024 are available here.

 

Right to Withdraw

As detailed in the academy RSE policy, families have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE. Sex education is currently delivered in:

• Year 9 Half Term 5 - Relationships
• Year 10 Half Term 3 Relationships
• Year 11 Half Term 5 - Relationships

If you wish to withdraw your child from some or all sex-education lessons, we would urge you, in the first instance, to discuss this with the school directly. You are welcome to view resources, ask questions about topics covered and discuss anything else that might be a concern. We understand that this can be a sensitive topic, but often a chance to talk through concerns can help to allay any worries you may have. Lessons are delivered in a professional, inclusive, objective and sensitive manner with the aim of educating students so that they can make informed decisions and stay safe. If you wish to withdraw your child, you should contact the academy directly. 

Please be aware that parents have no right to request their child be withdrawn from lessons on relationships or health education which are statutory.

Up to and until three terms before the child turns 16, a parent retains the right to request withdrawal from sex education. After that point, if a child wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school will make arrangements to provide the child with sex education during one of those terms.