RSE - Frequently Asked Questions

What is RSE?

RSE stands for Relationships and Sex Education. From September 2020, it is compulsory for all secondary schools in England.

When will students start learning RSE?

At St. Bonaventure’s, RSE has been delivered in R.E. lessons for year 7 and 8 since the beginning of the 2019/20 academic year. Furthermore, some aspects of RSE are covered in students’ science lessons. This year, further RSE content will be delivered through a series of personal development drop-down days, where students are off timetable - in each of these days, one hour will be focused specifically on RSE. These personal development days are designed to deliver age appropriate content (this year, different resources will be used with KS3 and KS4, with the aim of having targeted content for each year group in the 2021/22 academic year).

Have parents been consulted on RSE at St. Bonaventure’s?

Both the government guidance on RSE, and the guidance provided by the Catholic Education Service is clear that parents and carers are the prime educators of children in matters of relationships and sex.

Schools are required to consult with parents when developing and reviewing their policies for RSE, and, in keeping with this requirement, St. Bonaventure’s conducted a consultation with parents on Thursday 20th January 2020. The presentation used in this consultation can be found The presentation used in this consultation can be found here .

What topics will be covered in RSE?

RSE covers a wide range of topics. To read the content secondary schools are expected to cover in RSE, you can read the Department for Education’s full guidance here.

The government guidance makes clear that “effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation”, and is instead focused on empowering students through equipping them with the knowledge needed to make healthy and safe choices in their future relationships. It is also important to note that whilst intimate relationships are a part of RSE, RSE covers all kinds of relationships - including families, friendships, and relationships with colleagues.

In addition to targeted RSE sessions, some RSE content is covered by curriculum subjects. Please click here to view the PSHCE Curriculum Maps and view the Relationships & Sex tabs to see how subjects cover content related to RSE at KS3, KS4, and KS5.

How will St. Bonaventure’s approach RSE with Catholicism in mind?

As a Catholic School, St. Bonaventure’s is committed to teaching RSE in accordance with Catholic values, and we are using the Catholic Education Service’s guidance and models to inform our RSE curriculum. The Curriculum Leader for Citizenship, PSHE, Careers, and RSE had undertaken the Catholic Education Service’s training on delivering RSE in a Catholic school.

Do you have examples of resources used in RSE sessions?

Examples of the resources used in RSE sessions as part of personal development drop down days are currently being developed. When they are completed, they will be available on the RSE section of the school website, ahead of their use in school.

Can I withdraw my child from RSE lessons?

The following is taken directly from the DfE’s FAQs for parents on Relationships and Sex Education, which can be found in full here.

‘Q: Do I have a right to withdraw my child from Relationships and Sex Education?

A: Parents will continue to have a right to request to withdraw their child from sex education delivered as part of RSE in secondary schools which, unless there are exceptional circumstances, should be granted up to three terms before their child turns 16. At this point, if the child themselves wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school should make arrangements for this to happen in one of the three terms before the child turns 16 - the legal age of sexual consent.

There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education at primary or secondary as we believe the contents of these subjects – such as family, friendship, safety (including online safety) – are important for all children to be taught.’

Any requests to withdraw a child from sex education must be discussed with the Head teacher. If you are considering having your son withdrawn from sex education, or have concerns or questions about the content covered, please contact the Curriculum Lead for Citizenship, PSHE, RSE & Careers (r.laws@stbons.org)