The importance of RSHE:
Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives constantly switching between being on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also many challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe, healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.
As children and young people grow we need to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, (including online), as well as the essential understanding of how to be mentally and physically healthy. It is vital as they grow into young adults they have increased understanding of risk areas such as drugs and alcohol, as well as introducing knowledge about intimate relationships and sex.
From September 2020, the delivery of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education has become statutory in schools. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.
All Primary aged pupils at Carew Academy are taught Relationships Education and Health Education, and all Secondary aged pupils are taught Relationships and Sex Education, including Health Education (RSHE).
The Carew Academy Relationships and Sex Education Policy can be found under our Policy section by clicking here.
Click here for our Relationships and Sex Education Procedure
Mental Health and Wellbeing:
At Carew Academy we are committed to ensuring the positive wellbeing and mental health for the school community including all pupils and staff, so we can learn successfully for life, as well as develop and maintain positive relationships amongst ourselves.
Within the RSHE curriculum offer pupils are actively taught about resilience and mental health, with techniques to promote positive mental health and wellbeing through mindfulness and other strategies, including the link between good physical and mental health. The new RSHE content gives children and young people knowledge and capability to take care of themselves as much as possible, whilst developing their independence and being resourceful in finding and receiving support if problems arise.
Carew Academy are proud to be part of the NHS Mental Health trailblazer scheme to offer pupils group workshops on anxiety and low mood, consultation sessions with teaching professionals and parents, and 1:1 cases where necessary for early mental health intervention. The service is also offering staff workshops on issues such as anxiety and how to support pupils with a range of mental health concerns.
For more information, please see our Mental Health and Wellbeing webpage in the Students tab. https://carewacademy.org/students/mental-health-and-wellbeing/
Implementation:
Pupils study a broad and spiral curriculum with learning opportunities for each key stage, in three core themes:
- Health and Wellbeing,
- Relationships,
- Living in the Wider World.
The RSE curriculum prepares learners for future success in employment and within staying safe in the community online and offline, whilst preparing them for life in Modern Britain so they are responsible, respectful and active members of the community and society.
In line with Ofsted and DfE requirements pupils at Carew Academy receive 1 or 2 lessons of RSHE per week depending on their skills pathway.
| Number of RSE Lessons per week | |||
| Year group/ Pathway | Skills for Life | Skills for Work | Skills for Further Education |
| Year 6,7,8 | 1
2/3 additional Life Skills Lessons are embedded in the timetable.
|
2 | 2 |
| Year 9-13 | 2
2/3 additional Life Skills Lessons are embedded in the timetable.
Alongside the curriculum Pupils are offered BTEC accreditations which support the RSHE curriculum by developing pupils’ independence and personal progress.
|
2
Alongside the curriculum Pupils are offered BTEC accreditations which support the RSHE curriculum by developing pupils’ independence and personal progress. |
2
Alongside the curriculum Pupils from year 10 onwards are encouraged to complete accreditations with Prince’s Trust, Personal Development and Employability Skills (PDE) at Entry Level 3 and above. |
Please click here to view Carew Academy’s RSE curriculum overview.
Curriculum Overview – KS2:
Autumn Term: Relationships – Families and Friendships, Safe relationships and Respecting Ourselves and others.
Spring Term: Living in the Wider World – Belonging to a Community, Media Literacy and Digital Resilience, Money and Work.
Summer Term: Health and Wellbeing – Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing, Growing and Changing, Keeping Safe.
Skills for Life:
Pupils use the Equals Curriculum across the school which includes communication, dressing and undressing, shopping, travel training, healthy eating, mental health and wellbeing, recycling, festivals, food, life cycles and people.
Skills for Work and Skills for Further Education:
RSHE at Carew Academy offers high quality teaching through implementation of the PSHE Association planning documentations (Thematic Approach) which have been tailored to suit the age and developmental appropriateness of the phases and ages of the pupils on the Skills for Work and Skills for Further Education pathways. High quality teaching is differentiated and personalised to ensure accessibility, and is mindful of the Preparing for Adulthood outcomes as set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
Pupils at Carew Academy frequently comment that they enjoy RSE and developing such life skills key for their development now, and in their futures. Pupils develop a good understanding of relationships, friendships and how to communicate effectively with others.
In our recent OFSTED visit (January 2020) the report commented that:
“Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education underpins everything the school does. Leaders’ work to support pupils’ personal development is exceptional. From a young age, staff encourage pupils to take on responsibilities. Pupils explore topics in depth. They learn about different beliefs and cultures and the importance of respecting difference. Staff seize opportunities to teach about citizens’ rights and responsibilities. Pupils talked enthusiastically about their mock election.”
Accreditation
To highlight the achievement of our pupils, accreditation within the RSHE curriculum is undertaken through the Achieve Award from The Prince’s Trust. This helps to prepare our pupils for the world of work, and is an excellent accreditation to have on your CV. Pupils have the opportunity to complete 2-3 units from the suite of units available including:
- Digital Skills
- Managing Money
- Participating in Exercise
- Personal Project (Enterprise)
- Preparing for a healthy lifestyle
- Presentation skills.
Suggested Apps/Websites:
BBC Bitesize – Use BBC Bitesize to help with your homework, revision and learning. Find free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes by level and subject.
KS1 PSHE and Citizenship – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmpfb9q
KS2 PSHE and Citizenship – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zqtnvcw
KS3 PSHE and Citizenship – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/ztvg9j6
GCSE PSHE and Citizenship – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3ckjxs
Childline – Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email, or post on the message boards. https://www.childline.org.uk/
Kooth – Offer free, safe and anonymous online support. Pupils can talk to friendly trained counsellors, read articles written by young people and find self-help advice, as well as write down feelings and thoughts in a daily journal.
NSPCC – The UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.
Stem4 – A charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers. Information on mental health, mental health apps and education.
Talk To Frank – Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today. https://www.talktofrank.com/
Think! Road Safety – Road safety teaching resources for children. https://www.think.gov.uk/education-resources/
Think you Know – An education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer. https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Suggested Books:
Books beyond Words, Sheila Hollins, RCPsych Publications
Help Your Kids With Growing Up, Robert Winston
Usborne Books – Looking After Your Mental Health, Alice James, Louie Stowell
Usborne Books – Managing Your Money, Jane Bingham and Holly Bathie
Usborne Books – What’s Happening to Me? Boy’s Edition, Susan Meredith
Usborne Books – What’s Happening to Me? Girl’s Edition, Susan Meredith
