RSHEC
Why study RSHEC?
Students need to be prepared for life beyond school, to prepare them to play a full and active role in society. Our RSHEC curriculum covers Relationship and Sex Education, Physical Health and Mental Well-being, and Citizenship. RSHEC teaches students information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds. It supports them to make well informed, positive choices for themselves. It helps them to understand how to judge when they, or someone they know, needs support and where they can seek help if they have concerns. Our RSHEC curriculum fosters students’ awareness and understanding of democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld. It gives them the knowledge to explore political and social issues, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments.
In short, RSHEC prepares students to take their place in society as responsible citizens prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life.
How will I study RSHEC?
Students study RSHEC by exploring big questions. Examples include What impact does our online world have on me? What is a healthy relationship? What are the liberties I enjoy as a UK citizen? How do I contribute to my community? In order to explore our enquiry questions students first develop an understanding of key concepts and rules of law that underpin them. Through debate, discussion, documentaries, reading and exploring their own experiences, RSHEC develops important attributes in pupils, such as honesty, kindness, tolerance, courtesy, resilience, and self-efficacy.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
In Year 7 students learn about puberty and the associated changes to their body. They explore identity development, their body image and their self-esteem. Mental and emotional health topics are complemented by work on physical health. Students study personal hygiene and care and how to prevent infection and how they can stay safe online. They explore what is age appropriate and the dangers that are present online. In RSHEC students study how a democratic government works. This includes how a political party comes to power and what contribution and influence they will have through using their democratic vote in the future.
In Year 8 students study the concept of family. They explore different types of family and relationships within that family. Students study what healthy relationships look like including communication, boundaries and trust. They look an online safety in more depth including cyberbullying. Students explore their civil liberties, political freedoms and constitutional law. This includes the role of the Police and the operation of courts. Students then also learn about voluntary groups who work in their community and have the opportunity to undertake a school- based project to support their local community.
In Year 9 students study well-being including anxiety and stress. They look at what optimum health is and strategies to secure emotional, physical and spiritual wellness. The RSHEC curriculum covers emergency Fist Aid such as the recovery position, signs of life. Students study financial management. This includes income, expenditure, budgeting, borrowing and credit. They further develop their understanding of the UK constitution and the rule of law.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
In Year 10 students study about intimate relationships. They explore choices, risks, and reproductive health. The RSHEC curriculum covers consent and the capacity to consent. Students study relevant legal provisions. These cover issues such as image sharing, hate crime, extremism, radicalisation. Student also study social responsibility and have the opportunity to participate in a community volunteering project. To further their understanding of Government students study other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom. This is followed by study of UK relations with the rest of the world such as United Nations Security Council, EU trade agreement, International Criminal Court.
In Year 11 students study emotional regulation. This includes stress management and perspective as well as delving deeper into emotional and mental health. They explore the relationship between diet, health, the nervous system and memory retention. They develop their citizenship understanding exploring basic human rights and international law. This covers how law helps society deal with complex problems. Students then study diversity in the UK exploring national, regional, religious, and ethnic identities.
Enrichment Offer
Pupils have access to a wide range of leadership and civic activities to support and enhance their learning, including community service projects, charitable initiatives and campaigns and the opportunity to stand as a representative for their year group as part of the Pupil Council.
Useful Resources and Revision Support