Relationships, Health, and Sex Exducation (RHSE)

Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) at Harris Academy Riverside

At Harris Academy Riverside, Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) sits at the heart of our commitment to developing confident, compassionate and responsible young people. Alongside our wider Personal Development programme, RHSE equips students with the knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive - now and in the future.

Rooted in our academy values of work hard, be kind, take responsibility, our RHSE curriculum helps students understand themselves, respect others, and make informed, safe and positive choices in an increasingly complex world.

A Personal Development Curriculum with Purpose

Our RHSE provision is carefully woven into a broader Personal Development framework that supports students to grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. Learning is age-appropriate, inclusive and responsive to the real experiences of our students and community.

Across all key stages, students are supported to:

• Build healthy, respectful relationships
• Look after their physical and mental health
• Navigate the online world safely and responsibly
• Understand the law and their rights and responsibilities
• Challenge discrimination, prejudice and injustice
• Develop confidence, resilience and personal agency

This curriculum is not just about information - it is about character, choice, and impact.

Our Personal Development Pillars

RHSE at Harris Academy Riverside is shaped by six clear pillars that guide learning from Year 7 through to Sixth Form:

Own Your Character

Students explore values, beliefs and identity, developing leadership, self-discipline and confidence. Through character education and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, students learn how their choices shape their personal brand and future.

Own Your Relationships

Students learn how to communicate effectively, build trust, respect boundaries and understand consent. This includes age-appropriate learning about healthy relationships, intimacy and managing conflict, both online and offline.

Own Your Health

Physical and mental wellbeing are prioritised. Students learn how to care for their bodies and minds, recognise risk, seek support, understand first aid, and stay safe in real-world and digital environments.

Own Your Future

RHSE supports students to develop ambition and agency. Careers education, informed decision-making, financial awareness and preparation for adulthood help students take ownership of their next steps.

Serve Your Community

Students explore British Values, equality, justice and civic responsibility. Through student voice, volunteering and social action, they are encouraged to step up, speak out and contribute positively to society.

Awaken Your Mind

We develop curiosity, critical thinking and debate. Students engage with new ideas, challenge stereotypes, explore cultural capital and learn how to think deeply, respectfully and independently.

 

What RHSE Looks Like in Practice

Our RHSE curriculum is carefully sequenced across key stages to ensure progression, relevance and impact.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

Students develop strong foundations in:

• Mental health and emotional literacy
• Online safety, digital citizenship and cyberbullying
• Puberty, body changes and personal hygiene
• Healthy friendships, respect and consent
• Equality, diversity and the law
• Safeguarding topics such as exploitation, grooming, radicalisation and substance misuse

This is enhanced through Personal Development Days, which develop students into well-rounded members of the community.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)

Students revisit and deepen their understanding through more complex, real-world contexts:

• Healthy and unhealthy relationships, power and coercion
• Sexual health, consent, contraception and STIs
• Online harms, pornography, gambling and digital footprints
• Mental health, body image and exam wellbeing
• Drugs, alcohol, vaping and exploitation
• Equality, unconscious bias and workplace rights

Year 11 focuses on reflection, readiness and resilience, ensuring students leave school informed, supported and prepared for adult life.

Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13)

In Sixth Form, RHSE is taught in a mature, practical context, supporting independence and life beyond school:

• Consent, sexual health and relationships
• Mental health, stress management and self-care
• Personal safety, travel and online fraud
• Drugs, alcohol and risk-taking behaviours
• Finance, budgeting, credit and future planning
• Equality, allyship, unconscious bias and leadership

Students also take part in Personal Development Days covering first aid, careers preparation, interviews, safeguarding, and civic responsibility.

Equality, Inclusion and Safeguarding

RHSE at Harris Academy Riverside plays a vital role in fulfilling our Public Sector Equality Duty. The curriculum actively:

• Promotes respect for all protected characteristics
• Challenges discrimination, harassment and prejudice
• Builds empathy, allyship and understanding
• Encourages students to speak up and seek help

Safeguarding is central to every aspect of RHSE. Students are taught how to recognise risk, understand the law, report concerns and access support - ensuring they feel safe, heard and protected.

Preparing Students for Life

Our RHSE and Personal Development curriculum is designed for life beyond the classroom. By combining knowledge, character education and real-world application, we empower students to:

• Make informed, responsible choices
• Build positive, respectful relationships
• Care for their wellbeing and others
• Challenge injustice and stand up for what is right
• Take ownership of their future with confidence

At Harris Academy Riverside, RHSE is not an add-on—it is a cornerstone of who we are and how we prepare young people to succeed.