Welcome to Relationships and Health

At Benjamin Britten, our Relationships and Health curriculum equips students with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make informed decisions, develop healthy relationships and look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

Through a carefully sequenced programme of learning from Year 7 to Year 11, students explore a range of age-appropriate topics that reflect the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they may encounter as they grow up.

Our curriculum aims to develop confident, respectful and responsible young people who understand themselves, value others and feel empowered to make positive choices. We want students to leave Benjamin Britten with the knowledge and skills to navigate the world safely, build healthy relationships and thrive both now and in adult life.

What will my child learn in Relationships and Health? 

Our Relationships and Health curriculum is carefully sequenced across five years, allowing students to revisit important themes, build on previous learning and develop a deeper understanding as they mature.

Topics are organised into units of learning, with each year group exploring age-appropriate content that reflects their developing needs and experiences. Students learn about physical and mental health, friendships and family relationships, personal safety, online influences, consent, sexual health and the responsibilities of adult life.

We recognise that young people face an increasingly complex world. Our curriculum therefore addresses both established health and relationship topics and emerging issues, including artificial intelligence, online manipulation, harmful online content, financial risks and the influence of social media.

You can find an overview of the topics covered in each year group in our medium-term plans in the documents section below.

Why do we teach Relationships and Health? 

Growing up brings new experiences, opportunities and challenges. We believe that all young people should have access to reliable information and the skills they need to navigate these experiences safely and confidently.

Our curriculum supports students to:

Develop healthy relationships: Understand the qualities of healthy relationships, communicate effectively, respect boundaries and recognise unhealthy or harmful behaviours.

Look after their mental and physical health: Understand how to maintain good health, manage emotions, develop resilience and access appropriate support.

Keep themselves and others safe: Recognise potential risks, understand consent, identify harmful situations and know how to seek help.

Navigate the modern world: Think critically about online content, social media, artificial intelligence, peer pressure and the influences that can shape their decisions.

Become responsible and respectful citizens: Understand equality, diversity, individual rights and responsibilities, and the importance of treating others with dignity and respect.

Ultimately, we want our students to develop the confidence and knowledge to make informed choices, take responsibility for their actions and contribute positively to the world around them.

Our Approach to Teaching

We believe that Relationships and Health should be taught in a supportive, inclusive and respectful environment where students feel comfortable developing their understanding, asking questions and exploring different perspectives.

Our lessons use a variety of teaching approaches to engage students and develop both their knowledge and practical skills. These include:

• Class discussions and debates to explore different viewpoints.
• Realistic scenarios and case studies to develop decision-making skills.
• Independent activities and reflection to encourage personal responsibility.
• Group activities to develop communication, empathy and respect.
• Knowledge-based and skills-based assessments to check understanding and support progress.

Sensitive topics are approached carefully, with consideration given to students' age, maturity and individual needs. Students are never required to share personal or private experiences as part of a lesson.

Teachers establish clear expectations for respectful discussion, ensuring that all students are treated with dignity and that differing experiences and viewpoints are respected.

Our curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that teaching remains relevant, appropriate and responsive to the needs of our students.

The New Statutory RSHE Guidance

From 1 September 2026, schools in England are required to follow the Department for Education's revised statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE).

The updated guidance reflects the changing experiences and challenges faced by young people and places continued emphasis on developing healthy relationships, promoting positive mental and physical health, and keeping children safe.

At Benjamin Britten, we have reviewed our Relationships and Health curriculum to ensure that it reflects the updated requirements and provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the modern world.

This includes learning about:

• Healthy relationships, consent, boundaries and respect.
• Mental health, emotional wellbeing and accessing support.
• Sexual health, contraception, fertility and reproductive health.
• Online safety, artificial intelligence and emerging digital risks.
• Sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse and harmful behaviours.
• Personal safety, risk-taking and making informed decisions.

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to ensure that our curriculum is transparent, appropriate and responsive to the needs of our students.

Further information:

You can find out more about the updated guidance and what it means for parents and carers using the links below.

New RSHE guidance: What parents need to know – Department for Education

Read the full RSHE statutory guidance – Department for Education

Our RSHE Policy and Information for Parents

We recognise that parents and carers play an important role in supporting their children's understanding of relationships, health and growing up. We are committed to working in partnership with families and providing clear information about what is taught and why.

Our RSHE policy explains how Relationships and Health is delivered at Benjamin Britten, including the content of our curriculum, how resources are selected and reviewed, and how we ensure that teaching is appropriate for students' age and stage of development.

Parental consultation

We welcome the views of parents and carers when reviewing our RSHE policy and curriculum. We aim to provide opportunities for families to understand our approach, ask questions and share feedback.

Parents' right to withdraw

Parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from some or all sex education delivered as part of statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

However, parents do not have the right to withdraw their child from statutory Relationships Education or Health Education, or from content taught as part of the Science National Curriculum, including relevant learning about puberty and human reproduction.

Parents and carers will be informed in advance of the Sex and Relationships units taught in Years 9 and 10. Further information about the content of these lessons, including which elements parents may request to withdraw their child from, will be provided at this time.

To read more about our approach, please download our Relationships and Health policy below.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Learning about relationships, health and personal development does not stop when the school day ends. Conversations at home can help young people make sense of what they have learned and feel more confident asking questions or seeking advice.

We encourage parents and carers to take an interest in the topics their children are exploring and to create opportunities for open, supportive conversations.

You might find it helpful to ask:

• What have you been learning about in Relationships and Health recently?
• What do you think makes a healthy friendship or relationship?
• How can you tell when something online might not be trustworthy?
• What would you do if you felt pressured into something you were uncomfortable with?
• Where could you go for help if you were worried about your physical or mental health?
• What is one thing you have learned that you think will be useful in everyday life?

You do not need to have all the answers. Listening, showing an interest and helping your child identify reliable sources of information can make a real difference.

If you would like to find out more about the topics your child is studying, please refer to our medium-term plans or contact the school.

Useful Information and Support

There are a number of trusted organisations that provide reliable information, advice and support for young people and their families.

We have included some useful links below, covering mental health, relationships, online safety, physical health and personal wellbeing.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Kooth – Online mental health and wellbeing support for young people.

YoungMinds – Information and advice about young people's mental health, including guidance for parents and carers.

NHS Mental Health – Reliable information about mental health conditions, wellbeing and accessing support.

Relationships and sexual health

Brook – Information and advice about relationships, sexual health and growing up.

NHS Sexual Health – Information about sexual health, contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

Safeguarding and online safety

Childline – Free, confidential support for children and young people.

NSPCC – Advice and information about keeping children safe.

CEOP Education – Advice about online safety, exploitation and reporting concerns.

These organisations offer additional information and support, but students are always encouraged to speak to a trusted adult or member of school staff if they are worried about something.

Relationships and Health and Safeguarding

Keeping our students safe is central to everything we do at Benjamin Britten. Our Relationships and Health curriculum plays an important role in helping young people recognise risks, understand their rights and know how to access support.

Through carefully planned lessons, students develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise signs of abuse, exploitation, coercion, harassment and unhealthy relationships. They also learn about consent, personal boundaries, online safety and the importance of speaking up when something does not feel right.

We want students to understand that they have the right to feel safe, to be treated with respect and to seek help without fear of judgement.

If a lesson raises a concern or a student needs support, they are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult, their form tutor, a member of their year team or the school's safeguarding team.

Our curriculum works alongside the school's wider safeguarding arrangements and supports our commitment to providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment for every student.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Relationships and Health compulsory?

Yes. Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education form part of the statutory curriculum in England. Students are expected to participate in these lessons.

What is the difference between Relationships Education, Sex Education and Health Education?

Relationships Education focuses on developing healthy, respectful relationships, including friendships, family relationships and personal boundaries. Sex Education covers aspects of human sexuality and sexual relationships. Health Education focuses on physical health, mental wellbeing and making informed decisions about personal health.

Can I see what my child will be learning?

Yes. Our medium-term plans are available on this page and provide an overview of the topics covered in each year group. Parents can also request further information about particular lessons or teaching resources.

Can I withdraw my child from Relationships and Health lessons?

Parents cannot withdraw their child from statutory Relationships Education, Health Education or Science lessons. Parents can request withdrawal from some or all sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE, in accordance with the Department for Education's guidance. Please refer to our RSHE policy for further information.

Are lessons age-appropriate?

Yes. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced across Years 7–11, with content selected to reflect students' age, maturity and stage of development. Students revisit important themes as they grow older, allowing them to build on previous learning.

Will my child be expected to share personal experiences?

No. Students are not expected to disclose personal or private experiences during lessons. Teaching uses fictional scenarios, case studies and carefully planned activities to help students explore sensitive topics safely.

What happens if my child has a question or concern following a lesson?

Students are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult or member of school staff. We want all students to feel confident seeking help and understand that they will be listened to and supported.

Who can I contact if I have a question about the curriculum?

If you have any questions or concerns about Relationships and Health, please contact the subject lead using the school contact details below.

Contact the Relationships and Health Team

We recognise that parents and carers may sometimes have questions about the topics covered in Relationships and Health or how particular lessons are delivered.

We welcome conversations with parents and encourage you to get in touch if you would like further information, have a concern or wish to discuss any aspect of the curriculum.

Subject Lead: Miss A. Montgomery

Email: a.montgomery@benjaminbritten.school

We are always happy to help and work in partnership with families to support our students.