RSE In Secondary School - A Parents Guide

What is RE/RSE?

It stands for Relationships Education (RE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). Relationships Education will be taught in primary schools, and Relationships and Sex Education in secondary schools (though primary schools wishing to teach age-appropriate RSE can do so as long as parents are consulted about what will be covered). Parents should note that the science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction, which may apply in an age-appropriate way to primary schools. There is no right to withdraw children from classes covering the science curriculum.

Parents may request that their child is withdrawn from the sex education parts of Relationships and Sex Education classes in secondary school (but not from the RE parts, and not from classes where reproduction is taught as part of the science curriculum). New legislation introduces the concept that, once a child is three terms away from turning 16, they may overrule their parents’ wishes and attend RSE classes if they choose to. This may be formally, such as through compulsory topics in the science curriculum, or informally from their peers in the playground. Ensuring that their child is equipped with the same level of knowledge as their year-group cohort is important, and should be planned for.

To further discuss FBEC's RSE provision or discuss the withdrawal of your child from Sex Education, please contact

Miss Hanson

RSE Lead

01740 651554

cha@fbec.uk