RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education)
What is RSHE? Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health.
Why is RSHE important? RSHE equips students with the information, skills and values to have safe, fulfilling and enjoyable relationships and to take responsibility for their sexual health and well-being. It should help students to learn to respect themselves and others and move with confidence from childhood through adolescence into adulthood.
At Tiffin School we deliver RSHE through our 21 Century Life Lessons (PHSE), Assemblies, Tutor Time and lesson time. External visitors such as the School Nurse may deliver specific topics and facilitate discussions. We encourage students and teachers to share and respect each other’s views and generate an atmosphere where questions and discussion on sexual matters can take place without any stigma or embarrassment.
Stage by Stage, Year by Year
RSHE topics are introduced and revisited throughout the students’ school years. This enables students to reflect, and teachers to go into more subject depth, as the students mature.
If you would like to comment on any aspect of RSHE please use our Tell us at Tiffin here.
Key Stage 3 RSHE Overview (Years 7-9)
During Key Stage 3, students build the knowledge, understanding and personal skills needed to stay healthy, safe and respectful as they move through adolescence. The curriculum follows a spiral approach, revisiting key topics each year while introducing increasingly age-appropriate themes.
Across Years 7–9, pupils learn about physical and mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, personal safety, online life, diversity and inclusion, and making informed decisions. As students mature, lessons become more complex, helping them develop confidence, resilience and the skills to prepare for Key Stage 4 and beyond.
Year 7 – Building Foundations
Year 7 focuses on supporting students as they settle into secondary school and begin adolescence. Pupils learn about managing emotions, developing positive friendships and recognising bullying. They explore family relationships, puberty, personal hygiene, testicular and vulval health, and how to stay safe by recognising and reporting abuse. Students are also introduced to healthy relationships, consent and the influence of media and online content on their expectations of relationships.
Year 8 – Developing Independence
Year 8 encourages students to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and relationships. Lessons explore healthy lifestyles, sleep, nutrition, physical activity and climate wellbeing, alongside personal safety topics including road, water and drug safety. Students learn about diversity, discrimination and creating inclusive communities, while developing a greater understanding of online influences, algorithms, financial risks and healthy and unhealthy relationships, including harassment, image-sharing, consent and gender-based violence.
Year 9 – Preparing for Key Stage 4
Year 9 deepens students’ understanding of relationships, personal responsibility and life beyond Key Stage 3. Pupils explore consent, contraception, sexual health and managing the end of relationships, alongside strategies for maintaining positive mental wellbeing and healthy coping mechanisms. They develop a greater understanding of drug education, criminal exploitation and the law, cybercrime, online harms including deepfakes and misogyny, and begin to consider future education, careers and personal aspirations as they prepare for Key Stage 4.
Throughout Key Stage 3, the curriculum promotes respect, empathy and inclusion while equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to make safe, healthy and informed choices both now and in the future.
Key Stage 4 RSHE Overview
During Key Stage 4, students build on the knowledge and skills developed in Key Stage 3, preparing them for adulthood, further education and the workplace. The curriculum encourages students to think critically, make informed decisions and develop the confidence to navigate increasingly complex situations in their personal, social and digital lives.
Across Years 10 and 11, pupils explore healthy lifestyles, mental wellbeing, relationships and sexual health, consent, online safety, diversity and inclusion, personal safety, family life and future career pathways. Lessons promote resilience, empathy and respect while equipping students with the practical knowledge needed to make responsible choices and manage increasing independence.
Year 10 – Growing Independence
Year 10 focuses on helping students make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and future. Pupils explore healthy lifestyles, sleep, nutrition and reproductive health, alongside important health awareness topics including breast awareness, menstruation and testicular health. Students also develop a deeper understanding of the digital world, examining artificial intelligence, misinformation, deepfakes and the responsible use of technology.
The curriculum promotes respectful relationships by exploring consent, intimacy, the influence of pornography, recognising abuse and understanding relationship rights. Students also learn to challenge bullying, discrimination, extremism and harmful online influences, while developing financial awareness and critical thinking skills to recognise scams, online exploitation and gambling risks. Alongside this, pupils begin preparing for their future through careers education, work experience and employability skills.
Year 11 – Preparing for Adult Life
Year 11 supports students as they prepare for life beyond school by developing the knowledge and confidence needed to manage their health, relationships and personal safety. Students strengthen their understanding of mental wellbeing, stress management and healthy coping strategies while learning how to recognise when professional support may be needed.
Lessons revisit drug education, helping students understand risk, manage external influences and develop strategies to stay safe. Students also learn practical life-saving skills through basic life support and explore wider health topics including vaccinations, organ donation and maintaining lifelong physical health.
Relationship education focuses on healthy and unhealthy relationships, boundaries, conflict resolution, contraception and sexual health. Students also explore committed relationships, marriage, parenting, fertility, routes to parenthood and pregnancy choices, helping them develop a realistic understanding of future family life and adult responsibilities.
Throughout Key Stage 4, the curriculum equips students with the knowledge, resilience and practical skills to make informed choices, build healthy relationships and confidently navigate the transition into adulthood.