RSE

RSE Curriculum Statement

Introduction: The Importance of Relationships and Sex Education

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) plays a vital role in preparing children for the challenges of growing up, helping them develop healthy relationships, respect for themselves and others, and the confidence to make informed decisions. Research highlights that high-quality RSE contributes to improved emotional well-being, better understanding of personal safety, and stronger communication skills (Brook, PSHE Association & Sex Education Forum, 2014).

At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we deliver RSE in a way that is age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and rooted in our Sikh values. Our curriculum fosters self-awareness, discipline, courage, effort, and perseverance, ensuring that pupils understand their responsibilities to themselves, their families, and their communities. Through our lessons, we empower pupils to navigate relationships with kindness, integrity, and respect, reflecting our school motto: "Born to love, live to do."

Statement of Intent

Our RSE curriculum is designed to:

  • Provide pupils with an understanding of healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and consent.

  • Promote self-awareness, helping pupils understand their emotions and identity.

  • Develop discipline in managing emotions, decision-making, and maintaining personal well-being.

  • Encourage courage to speak up for oneself, seek help when needed, and challenge discrimination or harmful behaviors.

  • Teach the value of effort and perseverance in building strong, respectful relationships.

  • Ensure pupils can make informed, responsible choices that align with their personal beliefs, cultural values, and safety.

  • Embed Sikh teachings on respect, equality, and responsibility, ensuring that RSE is delivered in a way that upholds our faith ethos.

We want our pupils to develop into confident, respectful, and responsible young women, who understand the importance of positive relationships and are equipped with the skills to navigate challenges with dignity and resilience.

Statement of Implementation

Parents are invited to an RSE consultation with the Headmistress before children begin Year 4. Parents can use the consultation as an opportunity to discuss the RSE curriculum, whilst sharing opinions and their feedback.

We follow a structured, age-appropriate approach to RSE through the Jigsaw PSHE curriculum, ensuring that topics are introduced gradually and revisited in a progressive manner. Our curriculum includes:

  • Families and Caring Friendships – Understanding different family structures, healthy friendships, and trust.

  • Respectful Relationships – Exploring kindness, empathy, conflict resolution, and boundaries.

  • Online Safety and Media Influence – Identifying risks, cyberbullying, and making safe choices online.

  • Growing and Changing – Understanding physical and emotional development in a respectful, age-appropriate way.

  • Consent and Personal Boundaries – Learning about autonomy, self-respect, and the right to say no.

Ensuring Equity in RSE

We ensure equity by:

  • Adapting lessons to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, EAL, or additional learning needs.

  • Creating a safe, non-judgmental learning environment where pupils feel comfortable asking questions.

  • Using culturally responsive teaching and remaining sensitive to contextualised proactive safeguarding principles to align RSE with Sikh teachings on respect, dignity, and self-discipline.

  • Providing additional support, in collaboration with parents, for pupils who may need pastoral care, counselling, or one-on-one discussions.

Measuring Pupil Progress in RSE

Because RSE focuses on personal development, we measure progress through:

  • Pupil self-reflections – Encouraging self-awareness and personal growth.

  • Teacher observations – Assessing engagement, participation, and application of learning.

  • Scenario-based discussions – Allowing pupils to demonstrate critical thinking and ethical decision-making.

  • Pupil voice surveys – Gathering feedback on how confident and supported they feel in understanding relationships.

  • Parental feedback – Ensuring RSE is meeting the needs of our pupils and is delivered in a culturally sensitive manner.

Statement of Impact

The impact of our RSE curriculum is reflected in our pupils' confidence, respect for themselves and others, and ability to make responsible choices. Our pupils:

  • Develop strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

  • Show discipline and respect in their interactions and decision-making.

  • Have the courage to seek help when needed and stand up for their values.

  • Understand the importance of effort and perseverance in maintaining healthy relationships.

  • Feel empowered to make informed, safe, and respectful choices about their bodies and relationships.

  • Show understanding of Sikh values such as equality, self-respect, and compassion in how they treat others.

By the time they leave Sikh Heritage Girls School, our pupils are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and values to navigate relationships in a way that is respectful, responsible, and aligned with both modern safeguarding principles, modern British Values and Sikh teachings.

References

  • Brook, PSHE Association & Sex Education Forum. (2014). Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) for the 21st Century. Retrieved from https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk

  • Department for Education (DfE). (2019). Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools in England. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications