Dartford Grammar School

Aims and Ethos

At Dartford Grammar School we believe that providing high quality Relationships, Sex and Health education is vitally important for our students. Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education were made statutory by the Department for Education in 2019, as per section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Through our RSHE curriculum we aim to: 

• Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
• Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
• Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
• Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
• Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies

The Curriculum

The aim of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at Dartford Grammar School is to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. It enables them to understand and recognise what a healthy relationship looks like in a range of situations, including professional relationships, friendships, and other types of committed relationship. It covers contraception, developing intimate relationships and resisting pressure to have sex. It teaches what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships.

Effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. It should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity. Effective RSE supports people, throughout life, to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy sexual relationships, at the appropriate time.

Knowledge about safer sex and sexual health remains important to ensure that young people are equipped to make safe, informed and healthy choices as they progress through adult life. This is delivered in a non-judgemental, factual way and allows scope for our students to ask questions in a safe environment.

Pupils are taught the facts and the law about sex, sexuality, sexual health and gender identity in an age-appropriate and inclusive way. All pupils should feel that the content is relevant to them and their developing sexuality. Sexual orientation and gender identity are explored at a timely point and in a clear, sensitive and respectful manner. When teaching about these topics, we recognise that young people may be discovering or understanding their sexual orientation or gender identity.

RSE at Dartford Grammar School covers all compulsory aspects of the Statutory Guidance for Relationships and Sex Education (2019). The RSE curriculum programme for each year of study is set out in the links below.

Sex Education is covered in PSHE lessons and through the delivery of national curriculum and GCSE science content. The focus is on providing factual, evidence based information. An important aspect of effective RSE delivery is ensuring that students understand laws that apply to relationships, sex and consent, and the use of media.

Our Relationship and Sex Education Policy can be accessed via the statutory information tab on our website 

Parents’ right to withdraw

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory/non-science components of sex education within RSE up to and until 3 terms before the child turns 16. After this point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than being withdrawn, the school will arrange this.

Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing and addressed to the headteacher, Mr J. Metcalf.

A copy of withdrawal requests will be placed in the pupil’s educational record. The headteacher will discuss the request with parents and take appropriate action.

Alternative work will be given to pupils who are withdrawn from sex education. 

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)

The PSHE programme

PSHE education makes a significant contribution to children and young people’s personal development but is not synonymous with it. The promotion of students’ personal development (which includes their social development) is a fundamental aspect of education and underpins other learning. Personal development is enhanced as children and young people develop the skills they need to grow and develop as individuals and members of society. All aspects of a child's experience at home, in school and out of school contribute to personal and social development. It is a function of all subjects and curriculum areas.

PSHE education contributes to personal development by helping children and young people to build their personal identities, confidence and self-esteem, make career choices and understand what influences their decisions including financial ones. Developing self-understanding, empathy and the ability to work with others will help young people to enjoy healthy and productive relationships in all aspects of their lives.

The PSHE programme of study at Dartford Grammar School is a spiral programme that is progressive, year on year.  Students consider progression in terms of progression in their knowledge and understanding, and progression in their interpersonal thinking skills that are developed in the context of that new knowledge and understanding.

PSHE involves a number of inter-related programmes of study and these are the issues of Personal Wellbeing, Economic Wellbeing, Personal Safety, Online Safety and Digital Literacy. The overview programme for each year of study is set out in the links below. 

Key documents