Relationships, Sex and Health Education

Relationships, Sex and Health Education, known as RSHE, helps pupils develop the knowledge, values and practical skills they need to form respectful relationships, protect their wellbeing and make safe, informed choices.

At Bluecoat Aspley Academy, RSHE forms an important part of our wider Personal Development curriculum. It supports pupils’ physical, moral, social and emotional development and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Our curriculum reflects the Academy’s Christian ethos and promotes dignity, compassion, honesty, responsibility and respect for every person. Teaching is factual, inclusive and appropriate to pupils’ age and stage of development.

Our curriculum

The RSHE curriculum is carefully sequenced from Year 7 to Year 11. It enables pupils to revisit important knowledge and develop their understanding as they mature.

The curriculum includes learning about:

• identity, values and belonging;
• respectful friendships and relationships;
• equality, prejudice and discrimination;
• physical health and mental wellbeing;
• puberty and growing up;
• consent, personal boundaries and relationship safety;
• online safety, social media and harmful online influences;
• drugs, alcohol, vaping and other risk-taking behaviours;
• exploitation, grooming and personal safety;
• healthy lifestyles, sleep and preventive healthcare;
• sexual health and future relationships;
• careers, aspirations and preparation for adult life;
• British values, democracy and contributing positively to society.

Some elements of the curriculum involve sensitive or protective content. These topics are included to help pupils recognise unsafe situations, understand the law, challenge harmful behaviour and know how to seek support. They are taught factually, respectfully and within a safe learning environment.

How RSHE is delivered

RSHE is delivered through regular Personal Development learning, supported by form time, assemblies, curriculum subjects and carefully planned drop-down provision.

Teaching is led by Academy staff and, where appropriate, quality-assured external professionals. All resources and external contributions are reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate, accurate and consistent with the Academy’s safeguarding responsibilities and values.

Pupils are not expected to share personal experiences during lessons. Staff establish clear ground rules, use appropriate language and ensure pupils understand where they can access support.

Teaching is adapted where necessary so that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities can access essential knowledge and understand how to keep themselves safe.

Working with parents and carers

We recognise parents and carers as important partners in RSHE. We are committed to being open about what is taught and the resources used.

Parents and carers may:

• view our RSHE Statement of Practice and Parent Curriculum Map;
• request further information about learning planned for their child’s year group;
• ask to view curriculum and teaching materials;
• contact the Academy with questions or concerns; and
• contribute to consultation when our RSHE arrangements are reviewed.

Parents and carers may request that their child is withdrawn from some or all sex education delivered as part of RSE. This does not apply to Relationships Education, Health Education or National Curriculum science. Requests should be made in writing to office@bluecoataspley.co.uk and will be discussed with the parent or carer before the Principal makes a decision. Where withdrawal is agreed, the pupil will complete supervised, purposeful private study. Further information is available in the Academy’s RSHE Statement of Practice.

An overview of the Personal Development and RSHE curriculum for each year group, together with our Statement of Practice and parent information, can be found below.

Bluecoat Aspley Academy has reviewed its Personal Development and Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum in preparation for the revised statutory guidance.

We are inviting parents and carers to comment on the clarity, sequencing, accessibility and communication of our proposed arrangements.

The consultation will run from 28/09/2026 to 12/10/2026.

Consultation documents

Please review the documents in the following order:

1. Draft Parent Summary
   A short, two-page introduction to the curriculum and consultation. Parent Consultation Summary Letter RSHE 2026
2. Draft Parent Curriculum Map 2026–27
   An overview of the content planned for each year group. DRAFT Parent RSHE Curriculum Map 2026 27
3. Draft RSHE Statement of Practice 2026–27
   Detailed information about delivery, safeguarding, accessibility, resources and parental withdrawal. Draft BAA RSHE Statement Of Practice 2026 27
4. Archway Learning Trust RHSE Policy for Secondary Academies
   The overarching Trust policy within which the Academy operates. ALT-RHSE-Policy-Secondary-July-2026-Final.pdf
5. Department for Education statutory guidance
   The national statutory framework for RSHE. Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education guidance

How to respond

Please submit your views through our RSHE Parent and Carer Consultation Form: Bluecoat Aspley Academy RSHE Parent and Carer Consultation 2026–27 by 12/10/2026

The consultation focuses on:

• whether the information is clear;
• whether the curriculum is appropriately sequenced;
• age and stage considerations;
• accessibility for pupils with SEND;
• communication with parents and carers;
• access to teaching materials; and
• how the Academy supports conversations at home.

The statutory curriculum itself is not subject to a parental vote. However, all responses will be considered carefully, and appropriate amendments may be made before the documents are approved and published in their final form.

If you would like a paper copy, wish to view teaching materials or would prefer to provide feedback in another way, please contact office@bluecoataspley.co.uk.

Following consultation, the Academy will publish a brief summary of the feedback received and any resulting actions. The final documents will then proceed through the Academy’s approval arrangements.