RSE Good Quality Standards

How they are met

1. Is an identifiable part of our PSHE education curriculum, which has planned, timetabled lessons across all the key stages.

Students have one 50 minute lesson per timetable cycle (fortnightly). Lessons are mapped against the PSHE Association framework. Key Stage 5 is overseen by the Sixth Form Team, but ensuring links with the PSHE Co-ordinator, particularly with transitioning Year 11’s.

2. We have a lead teacher who oversees the curriculum and the learning programme.  In addition, we have a core team of staff and expert visitors who are invited to enhance the learning journey.

There is one core teacher whose teaching role is predominantly PSHE. The PSHE co-ordinator oversees and plans the lessons to ensure quality and consistency. Visitors from iCASH, Road safety, Aspire, Water safety come in to lessons to deliver and enhance the programme. iCASH also run the HYPA clinic on a Wednesday lunchtime for students to drop in and see specialists with sexual health, drugs and the school nurse is also available during this time.

3. Works in partnership with the parents and carers, informing them about what their children will be learning and about how they can contribute at home.

The PSHE co-ordinator communicates with parents to inform them of key lessons such as puberty and RSE lessons. At key points information and guidance is sent home to parents such as internet safety, choices with further education, support with options. Information evening to parents is provisionally planned going forwards from September to give parents information and confidence to support their child. PSHE curriculum is on the College Website. Parent feedback is encouraged to ensure the curriculum is working in the best interests of their child.

4. Delivers lessons where pupils feel safe and encourages participation by using a variety of teaching approaches with opportunities to develop critical thinking and relationship skills.

PSHE teachers have consistent ground rules for each lesson. These are embedded at the start of the year and reminded of during lessons, particularly when focussing on sensitive issues. Students are encouraged to think and form their own opinions. Students reflect at the end of the lesson in line with the school’s purple pen policy to show progress. Students are assessed termly on not only their knowledge and understanding, but also their skills, attributes and attitudes.  School SALAD days also help to further enhance student participation and develop critical thinking.

5. Is based on reliable sources of information including about the law and legal rights, and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

Legitimate websites and ones supported by the PSHE association are used along with government websites. Facts are given such as legal age, law on consent, law on inappropriate photographs of minors, abuse, FGM, drugs, alcohol. Students are given links to organisations who can support.

6. Promotes safe, equal, caring and enjoyable relationships and discusses real life issues appropriate to the age and stage of pupils, including friendships, families, consent, relationship abuse, sexual exploitation and safe relationships online.

The PSHE curriculum is based on the 3 core strands of the PSHE Association programme of study to ensure all areas are addressed in all Key Stages.

The PSHE association framework is divided into content for KS3 and KS4. The curriculum has a proactive approach to prevent issues from occurring due to being well educated and informed to make healthy safe decisions. Appropriate guidance is sought through appropriate channels including NHS England and iCASH.

7. Gives a positive view of human sexuality, with honest and medically accurate information, so that pupils can learn about their bodies and sexual reproductive health in ways that are appropriate to their age and maturity.

Key teachers have received RSE training and disseminate information across the PSHE team of teachers. Resources are used from reputable sources such as Big Talk Education, PIXL and other reputable organisations.

8. Gives pupils opportunities to reflect on values and influences (such as from peers, media, faith and culture) that may shape their attitudes to relationships and sex, and nurtures respect for different views.

Students are encouraged in lessons to form their own opinions, question others’ opinions in a constructive respectful manner and to listen to all viewpoints. They are taught early on in Key Stage 3 about media influence, peer pressure and society. Students are taught about protected characteristics and how they link with the 2010 Equality Act.

9. Includes learning about how to get help and treatment from sources such as the school nurse and other health and advice services, including reliable information online.

Students reflect at the end of each lesson where they can get support for topics covered.  Signposting takes place in all lessons and is embedded within the curriculum.  Students are informed about the HYPA clinic on a Wednesday lunchtime where iCASH nurses are available.

10. Fosters gender equality and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) equality and challenges all forms of discrimination in RSE lessons and in every day school life.

AMVC has received the Rainbow Flag Award from the Kite Trust. Students have received HBT bullying assemblies, SIMs has been updated to include HBT bullying. Students are educated in Key Stages 3 and 4 on diversity and tolerance.

11. Meets the needs of all pupils with their diverse experiences- including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Teachers are aware of students with SEN, pupil premium, looked after children, and those who may struggle with certain content due to their life experiences. Students are clear on their rights in the classroom if they find a topic challenging.  Pastoral teams will be informed in advance of sensitive topics in order to support our students.

12. Seeks pupils’ views about RSE so that teaching can be made relevant to their real lives and assessed and adapted as their needs change.

Students have an assessment every term where they can feedback their views and to ask any unanswered questions. Surveys are also sent out to seek students’ views in the form of student council and tutor time.  In addition to the above, reflective learning is strongly encouraged and student understanding is regularly tracked.

Year 7

Emotional health, Positive relationships, bullying and intolerance, equality and disabilities, racism, LGBTQ diversity, online safety, finance and budgeting, road safety, puberty, healthy living, smoking and vaping, alcohol 1, drugs 1

Year 8

Peer pressure, cyber bullying, sexting, online safety, body image and the media, self-esteem, harmful viewing, sleep, emotional health, guess the professional, alcohol 2, drugs 2, relationships and relationship loss, finance and budgeting,

Year 9

First aid, Immunisation, vaccination and antibiotics, emotional health problems, emotional health strategies, addiction, cancer awareness, Year 9 options and choices, Relationships and Sexual Education scheme of work (consent, risks, relationships, sexuality, infection and protection, pregnancy and parenthood) sexting, finance and budgeting in the real world.

Year 10

Diversity, stereotypes and prejudice, FGM, child sexual exploitation, relationships and marriage, relationship abuse, consent, pornography and addiction, contraception and STI’s, Pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy, foetal alcohol syndrome, cost of a child, good parenting, breast and testicular cancer

Year 11

Personal statement and CV, interview preparation, mock interviews, post 16 options, achievement file, consent, sextortion, gambling, substance use and personal safety, blood, organ stem cell donation, personal finance, tax and national insurance, preparing for change