Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) programme is delivered by form tutors who know their students well, creating a safe and supportive environment for exploring sensitive topics. This familiar relationship enables open dialogue and builds trust, allowing students to engage more confidently with challenging subject matter.
At the heart of our programme is an oracy-based methodology that prioritises discussion, debate and collaborative exploration. Rather than simply receiving information, students are encouraged to express their thoughts and questions in a supportive environment while listening respectfully to diverse viewpoints and experiences. They engage in meaningful dialogue with peers and their form tutor, developing confidence in articulating their ideas and concerns whilst practising essential communication skills that will serve them throughout life.
Our approach fosters critical thinking skills by encouraging students to question assumptions and examine different perspectives. They learn to analyse information from multiple sources and viewpoints, considering the complexity of real-world situations and relationships. Students develop skills in evaluating the consequences of different choices and behaviours while reflecting thoughtfully on their own values and beliefs.
Through structured discussions and collaborative activities, students develop respect for diversity in all its forms, including different backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles. Students learn to disagree respectfully while maintaining positive relationships and become aware of their own biases, recognising the importance of remaining open-minded.
Our five-year programme follows a progressive and spiral curriculum structure from Year 7 to Year 11, with topics revisited at increasing levels of complexity and maturity. This approach ensures that students build upon prior learning while developing deeper understanding as they mature.
This comprehensive approach ensures our students develop not only knowledge and understanding, but also the communication skills, emotional intelligence and respect for others that will serve them well as they navigate their relationships and make important life decisions.
This term, Year 7 will be looking at how to deal with starting secondary school, dealing with change and how to grow self-confidence. They will also explore how friendships may change, form and develop as well as how communication is a valuable tool to manage friendships. This progresses on to looking at what it means to show empathy, compassion and care. How to have a healthy lifestyle and making good choices regarding diet, energy drinks and other substances is discussed, as well as the importance of good sleep hygiene and links to positive wellbeing.
Year 8 start the term by identifying their personal strengths and achievements. They will then explore personal safety and move on to looking at the meaning of discrimination and prejudice, including misogyny and misandry, and what protective characteristics are. October will bring discussions about Black History Month and the impact of stereotypes on individuals and communities. This leads into exploring what healthy relationships look like, how to recognise unhealthy relationships and establishing healthy boundaries and consent.
Year 9 will be looking at what a healthy relationship is and how to recognise the features of them. They will explore the meaning of commitment within a range of different relationships and dynamics including exploring families, marriage and changes within relationships and families. Healthy lifestyles, positive mental health and wellbeing and positive self-esteem will be discussed and the impact of the digital world on these factors will finish the term. Students will also participate in an emergency aid workshop.
Year 10 will be discussing the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing and the actions that can support this including how to reframe negative thinking and have a mindful outlook. Discussions will then focus on healthy lifestyles and changes that occur during adolescence.
Year 11 will be exploring the importance of sleep and managing pressure and emotions, including in exams. This leads into a unit on healthy lifestyles, medical choices, substance abuse and body adjustments. Challenging stereotypes and discussing the changes in the voting system and politics will prepare students for the future as well as a practical workshop in emergency aid to give up to date first aid experience.
Should your child wish to seek support related to any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support Team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
Other local support can be found at Youth In Romsey and No Limits.
Childline also offers a range of support and resources.