RSE

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is delivered across school in accordance with the government’s statutory guidance (July 2025) using documentation from the PSHE Association to ensure coverage. 

 

At St Francis we understand how important it is to teach our pupils the importance of:

  • developing healthy, safe and caring relationships
  • the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch
  • how our bodies change
  • giving and respecting consent.

We acknowledge that parents and carers have a right to withdraw their child from some or all of sex education. Individual classes will ensure parents/carers are informed  on the coverage in RSE lessons and parents/carers are encouraged to share any information about their young person and to raise any questions or concerns.

 

As a school we acknowledge RSE is a sensitive subject and many of our pupils find it challenging to understand the concepts of RSE. Therefore, all teachers delivering RSE lessons have undertaken The Sex Factor training to support the delivery of their sessions and ensure a consistent approach across school.

 

The Sex Factor Programme supports pupils understanding of puberty, relationships, consent, safety and diversity through a series of social stories adapted for pupils with learning difficulties. The stories are used within sessions and supported by additional resources and the use of anatomically correct dolls. Teachers also take into consideration age-appropriateness and the individual’s cognitive ability.

 

RSE sessions are delivered across all curriculum pathways and personalised to the individuals’ learning needs. Across the Pre-Formal and Informal pathways, body awareness and consent are integrated within the timetable along with safe and caring relationships. Across the Semi-Formal and Formal pathways pupils will build on learning about relationships and consent. They will learn how to stay safe online, consent and how to resist pressure in a relationship.

 

Pupils will also have an awareness of:

  • menstruation
  • the changing adolescent body
  • the importance of healthy eating and fitness
  • drugs, alcohol, vaping and tobacco misuse
  • health prevention
  • basic first aid
  • the impact of social media and AI.

Learning will be shared on Seesaw so parents/carers can see their pupils interactions with the sessions and to be able to support their child at home.