Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE in Secondary) and Relationships and Health Education (RHE in Primary) is central to achieving our school aims and vital in maintaining our ethos of acceptance, personal well-being and self-efficacy. We hope to develop young adults who are able to achieve healthy relationships, both with themselves and others in society and the virtual world. This approach also meets our obligation to adhere to the new statutory guidance implemented in September 2020 (Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education).
Every member of staff has a professional and moral responsibility for the personal and social development of all pupils in their care. Acceptance and cooperation are key concepts in all pupils’ learning at Westfield. All staff regard this aspect of their role as central in accordance with its new status as a core subject from September 2020.
We believe that RSHE fosters the development of positive values, attitudes and beliefs in pupils and facilitates the growth of their emotional literacy and emotional intelligence. At Westfield, we want our RSHE to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at school and in society.
The aims of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at our school are to:
- Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
- Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
- Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
- Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
- Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies
- Develop and maintain relationships and improve their social skills on and offline.
- Develop self-confidence and independence, building on their successes.
- Develop strategies to cope with change and progression in their lives (Physical and mental)
- Develop an understanding of the importance of their physical and mental health in order to make informed choices and decisions.
- Develop self-help strategies to handle potential bullying and external negative pressures on them both on and offline.
- Deal with the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues they face as they approach adulthood.
- Understand that their own choices and behaviour can affect themselves and others.
- Have respect for the views, needs, relationships and rights of other people of all ages.
- Have an understanding of the differing relationships that exist in society (both online and offline)
- Understand the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle (mental and physical), in order to make confident and informed choices.
- Understand where and who can offer support (on and offline) within and beyond school.
