YEAR 7

RSE in Year 7 aims to support pupils’ social and moral development as they establish new peer-peer relationships at Secondary School. We seek to ensure that students understand the physical and emotional changes they are likely to experience during puberty as well as the law around consent and FGM; Pupils are supported to develop an understanding of and empathy with the variety of familial settings that are likely to be represented among their peers and other people they may meet.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect
• Being safe – in person on the road as well as online and understanding social media literacy
• Interpersonal safety - treating peers with kindness and respect, including being aware of the dangers of connecting with people online and the law around sharing information and images.

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on maintaining good hygiene during puberty and how to self-advocate
• Body image and self-confidence, including the role of the media, how it can normalise/shame different body types and how to preserve self-esteem and body image
• Having autonomy over one’s own body (in relation to FGM) and understanding how to identify and protect yourself – mentally and physically - and others from unhelpful and illegal content online
• Developing skills and thinking about the future - focus on careers and understanding different routes into a variety of careers. Understanding the importance of acquiring a range of skills through different subjects and extra-curricular activities. To both promote self-esteem and resilience, while making yourself more employable in the future. 

Term 3:

• Understanding our roles as citizens within a diverse world. This diversity includes sexuality and the variety of family structures and marriages.
• Understanding the legal protection for people with protected characteristics
• Respectful language and communication skills in interpersonal relationships
• Having autonomy over one’s own body (introduction to consent)

YEAR 8

RSE in Year 8 aims to build on pupils’ social and moral development, to help them understand that healthy relationships are characterised by positive communication and mutual respect. We seek to support students navigate the physical and emotional changes they are likely to experience during puberty, including the impact of these on their physical and emotional wellbeing; as well as deepening their understanding of law around consent. We also continue to help them to develop an understanding of and empathy for others around the world and consider the impact of our behaviour/choices on others, including those who have protected characteristics or who live in less traditional familial settings that are likely to be represented among their peers.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect, including healthy relationships
• Online safety and social media literacy – understanding the dangers of joining in with groups and challenges on social media, considering intentions vs impact and how quickly situations can escalate, especially when we are communicating online.
• Interpersonal safety – reminder about treating others with kindness and respect, including being aware of the dangers of connecting with people online, digital footprints, the implications of peer pressure and a reminder of laws about sharing images and information.

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on maintaining good hygiene during puberty and understanding emotional changes during this time, as well as how to self-advocate.
• Healthy lifestyles, making choices that promote physical and emotional health. Body image and self-confidence, including the role of the media.
• Having autonomy over one’s own body (in relation to consent). 

Term 3:

• Understanding our roles as citizens within a diverse world. This diversity includes sexuality and the variety of family structures and marriages.
• Understanding the legal protection for people with protected characteristics and considering what this looks like in practice - including how to be an ally.
• Respectful language and communication skills in interpersonal relationships, to ensure the physical and emotional safety of those involved.

YEAR 9

RSE in Year 9 aims to build on pupils’ social and moral development, to help them identify and enjoy healthy relationships which are characterised by positive communication and mutual respect, as well as what to do if they or someone they know is in an unhealthy relationship. We continue to support students navigate the physical and emotional changes they are likely to experience during puberty and reinforce their understanding of the law around various choices including consent, online behaviour and risks they may take. Students are also encouraged to strengthen their understanding of and empathy for others around the world, especially those who have protected characteristics and who may have experienced prejudice or discrimination. Students are encouraged to consider the impact of our behaviour/choices on themselves in the future as well as their impact on others.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect
• Online safety and social media literacy – understanding the dangers of connecting with people online/via games or on social media. Awareness of online grooming, radicalisation and exploitation; how quickly situations can escalate, especially when we are communicating online.
• Interpersonal safety, with a focus on healthy relationships and reporting concerns about connecting with people online/online content, including pornography and the law around image sharing 

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on maintaining good hygiene during puberty, understanding the impact of hormones on our emotions and how to self-advocate.
• Introduction to different methods of contraception, within the context of a respectful relationship where consent is mutual.
• Body image and self-confidence, including the role of the media portraying ideas of “beauty” as well as the causes, implications and consequences of misogyny

Term 3:

• Having autonomy over one’s own body (including consent and healthy relationships)
• Understanding our roles as citizens within a diverse world. This diversity includes sexuality and the variety of family structures and marriages.
• Understanding the legal protection for people with protected characteristics and considering what this looks like in practice - including how to be an ally.
• Respectful language and communication skills in interpersonal relationships, to ensure the physical and emotional safety of those involved. 

YEAR 10

RSE in Year 10 aims to support pupils social and moral development and to understand peer-peer relationships as they approach the age of consent. We want to ensure that students at Kingsmead understand how to keep themselves safe by learning about sexual health, the law around consent and how to recognise the signs of unhealthy, coercive, controlling relationships. Students are reminded of different methods of contraception, learn about the importance of maintaining good sexual health and how to seek advice/ support when needed. Students are encouraged to deepen their understanding of and empathy with people whose experience of the world is different from them, including being an ally to those with different sexual preferences/gender expressions etc.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect
• Online safety and social media literacy, including understanding the law around image sharing and how to report concerns following concerning online behaviour.
• Interpersonal safety, pupils revisit the topic of violence against women and girls, explore some of the myths that lead to this, as well as learning about honour-based violence.

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on sexually transmitted infections and contraception and seeking advice/support when required - mirrored by the National Curriculum for Science.
• Body image and self-confidence, including the role of the media and how certain beauty values are celebrated or not within the media.
• Self-advocacy regarding health matters, including trouble with periods, knowing the signs of cancer and how to speak with adults/professionals when you have a concern.

Term 3:

• Having autonomy over one’s own body (introduction to consent)
• Understanding our roles as citizens within a diverse world. This diversity includes sexuality and the variety of family structures and marriages.
• Understanding the legal protection for people with protected characteristics and considering what this looks like in practice - including how to be an ally.
• Respectful language and communication skills in interpersonal relationships, to ensure the physical and emotional safety of those involved. 

YEAR 11

RSE in Year 11 aims to support students to understand peer-peer relationships as they reach the age of consent. We seek to ensure that students understand how to keep themselves safe when pursuing and engaging in romantic relationships, including recognising the signs of unhealthy, coercive, controlling relationships, as well as being clear about the law around consent. Students are reminded of the benefits and limitations of different methods of contraception, as well as understanding the importance of maintaining good sexual health and how to seek advice/support when needed. Students are encouraged to deepen their understanding of and empathy for themselves and others, showing tolerance and mutual respect and as they gain independence.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect.
• Online safety and social media literacy – identifying fake news, misinformation and navigating AI. Being aware of the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image and minimising this.
• Interpersonal safety, with a focus on healthy relationships, the dangers of connecting with people online and how to protect yourselves/ others both online and in person

Term 2:

• The impact of sexual relationships on mental wellbeing and how to protect yourself physically and emotionally when pursuing romantic relationships.
• How to promote and protect body image and self-esteem in a world dominated by the media.
• Being able to advocate for yourself when seeking medical advice, including contraception, trouble with periods (PSO and endometriosis) and identifying other health concerns. 

Term 3:

• Having autonomy over one’s own body (introduction to consent) and understanding choices about family planning and pregnancy.
• Effective communication within relationships and understanding how to be an ally in a society with various expressions of sexuality /gender etc.

YEAR 12

RSE in Year 12 aims to support students to establish new peer-peer relationships as they enter a new phase of their education, especially as they are 16+ years old. We also seek to ensure that students understand how to keep themselves safe when seeking and engaging in romantic relationships, including recognising the signs of unhealthy, coercive, controlling relationships, as well as the law around consent. Students have the opportunity to consider the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of contraception, as well as understanding the importance of sexual health and how to seek advice/ support when needed. Students are encouraged to think critically and reflect on any unconscious biases, as they deepen their understanding of and empathy for themselves and others, showing tolerance and mutual respect and as they gain independence.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect
• Online safety and social media literacy with a focus on harassment, sexualised content and understanding banter and the role of AI now and in the future.
• Interpersonal safety, with a focus on treating peers with kindness and respect, including being aware of the dangers of connecting with people online and the law around image sharing. 

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on STI testing services and dispelling myths about these services
• Body image and conveying confidence during social interactions, including interviews
• The importance of knowing your body and self-examining as well as seeking early help and self-advocacy

Term 3:

• Having autonomy over one’s own body including consent and understanding healthy vs unhealthy relationships
• Understanding choices about family planning and pregnancy.
• Effective communication within relationships and understanding how to be an ally in a society with various expressions of sexuality /gender etc.
• Respectful language and communication in interpersonal relationships

YEAR 13

RSE in Year 13 aims to ensure that students are ready to establish new peer-peer relationships as adults beyond Kingsmead School. We also seek to ensure that students understand how to keep themselves safe when seeking and engaging in romantic relationships, including recognising the signs of unhealthy, coercive, controlling relationships, as well as the law around consent. Students are reminded of different methods of contraception and discuss the options available in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. They recall the importance of sexual health and how to seek advice/ support when needed. Students are reminded of the importance of understanding and empathy during communication within various different relationships as they gain independence.

Term 1:

• British Values of individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect.
• Online safety and social media literacy - focus is online/digital footprints, the use and role of AI now and in the future in creating opportunities for blackmail and spreading misinformation.
• Interpersonal safety, with a focus on support services for women and girls who experience violence, including public health and other charities.

Term 2:

• Sexual health, with a focus on STI testing and myths about accessing health services.
• Self-esteem and cultural ideas about sexual health and values in relationships.  
• Self-advocacy with regards to health care – understanding when and how to seek a second opinion regarding health concerns. 

Term 3:

• Having autonomy over one’s own body including consent as a cornerstone of healthy relationships and understanding the different limitations on consent (e.g. substances)
• Where to find resources and support for relationship and sexual health concerns.
• Respectful language and communication in interpersonal relationships