“Effective RSE focuses on respect for oneself and others and does not encourage or normalise early sexual experimentation. By supporting confidence and self-esteem, RSE will enable young people to make their own choices about whether or when to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy sexual relationships, once they reach the age of consent, and to resist pressure to have sex.”
DfE Statutory Guidance for Relationships and Sex Education
The Department for Education (DfE) has updated its statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education. The revised guidance came into effect on 1 September 2026. This means that we have reviewed our RSHE curriculum and policy to ensure that our provision is appropriate for all of our pupils based on their:
- Age and stage of development
- Physical and emotional maturity
- Religious and cultural backgrounds
- Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities
- EHCP outcomes
You will be aware that, as a part of your child’s education at Longdon Park School, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through their Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) lessons, as well as careers and preparing for adulthood lessons. This gives our students the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future. This is taught throughout the week in timetabled lessons to each class throughout the school, adapted to their abilities and individual needs.
What does the new guidance mean?
The new RSHE guidance focuses on healthy relationships, personal wellbeing and keeping children and young people safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships.
Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up will give young people the information, skills and positive values to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy relationships and will help them take responsibility for their own wellbeing.
The guidance also places an emphasis on helping pupils to develop positive characteristics such as resilience, self-worth, self-respect, honesty, integrity, courage, kindness and trustworthiness, while supporting them to recognise and identify when something is not right.
How will this be delivered?
RSE is delivered as part of the wider RSHE curriculum; each class has at least one 40-minute lesson on their timetable each week, delivered by appropriately trained school staff.
We may sometimes ask external specialists to provide sessions to supplement learning, for example, PCSOs and guest speakers. Any external providers will be appropriately considered by the school and their contribution will be in line with our curriculum and safeguarding procedures.
All teaching in RSHE, which encompasses careers and preparing for adulthood, will continue to take place in a safe learning environment. This is underpinned by our school ethos and values, as well as being in line with our safeguarding guidelines and procedures.
A variety of opportunities will be provided for pupils to learn and ask questions to further their understanding and to find out more about what affects them personally in their ever-changing social world. This will give every pupil the best possible opportunities for ‘Life after Longdon’.
Does my child have to do these lessons?
The DfE states that parents/carers have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from some or all sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE. Parents/carers do not have the right to withdraw their child from Relationships Education or Health Education, or from topics taught as part of the Science curriculum, including puberty and sexual reproduction.
Where a parent/carer requests withdrawal from sex education, the Head of School will discuss the request with the parent/carer and, where appropriate, the pupil. This provides an opportunity to explain the content and purpose of the curriculum, the benefits of participation and any potential impact of withdrawal.
In primary education, where the school provides sex education, a request to withdraw must be granted, except where the content forms part of the Science curriculum. In secondary education, a request to withdraw may be refused in exceptional circumstances, for example where there are safeguarding concerns or where a pupil has a specific vulnerability.
From three terms before a pupil turns 16, the pupil can choose to opt back into sex education even if their parent/carer has previously requested withdrawal. We will ensure pupils are aware of this option. Where a pupil is withdrawn from sex education, the school will provide appropriate and purposeful education during the period of withdrawal.
Whilst we will always follow the statutory arrangements regarding parental withdrawal, we strongly recommend that pupils are allowed to attend all appropriate RSHE lessons. Access to accurate, age- and stage-appropriate information and the opportunity to discuss relationships, health and safety with trusted adults can play an important role in keeping young people safe and preparing them for adulthood.
What if I have questions?
To introduce parents and carers to our RSHE curriculum, we invite you to review our RSHE policy and the statutory content of the Relationships Education and Relationships and Sex Education programmes contained within it.
In addition, as a school community, we are committed to working with parents, so please do not hesitate to contact Kayleigh Sanders, our Behaviour and Attitudes Assistant Headteacher/DSL or Kayleigh House, our Personal Development Assistant Headteacher, if you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of our RSHE provision.
Parents and carers are also able to request information about the materials used to support RSHE teaching.
Promotion of British Values
Background and Rationale
At Longdon Park School, we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
These values are promoted throughout school life and contribute to pupils’ personal development, safeguarding and preparation for life in modern Britain.
What is meant by “British Values”?
The fundamental British values promoted within schools are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Although these values are clearly defined, they are promoted in a variety of ways across our school and are adapted to ensure they are meaningful and accessible to all of our pupils.
We promote these values through our curriculum and wider school life, including RSHE, Personal Development, Careers and Preparation for Adulthood, guest speakers, pupil voice, school council, visits and community activities.
We recognise that modern Britain is diverse and that pupils need opportunities to develop understanding, empathy and respect for people whose backgrounds, beliefs or experiences may differ from their own.
These values are embedded throughout our curriculum and everyday school life, helping pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become respectful, responsible and active members of society.
