Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is an important part of our wider Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum and underpins our commitment to supporting the wellbeing, safety and development of all pupils at Wave.

Through high-quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and relationships. The curriculum supports pupils to develop resilience, recognise and manage risks, seek help when needed and understand where to access reliable information and support. It also helps prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Statutory RSHE guidance from September 2026

The Department for Education has published revised statutory guidance for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education, which applies from September 2026. Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education - GOV.UK

Wave has reviewed its PSHE and RSHE curriculum in response to the revised guidance and has consulted with stakeholders about the curriculum and the changes being introduced.

Wave Primary PSHE Curriculum Map

Wave Secondary PSHE curriculum map

PSHE Trust Curriculum

PLEASE NOTE: Glendinning Academy, our Special School have their own bespoke curriculum. Details of this can be found here: 

Glendinning PSHE Curriculum

How RSHE is taught at Wave

Our academies have flexibility to deliver RSHE in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and responsive to the individual needs of pupils.

Our teachers are experienced in adapting teaching to meet individual needs and recognise that some RSHE content can be sensitive. Through PSHE lessons, knowledge of pupils and ongoing assessment, teachers build an understanding of pupils' prior learning and adapt lessons appropriately while maintaining equality of access to the curriculum.

As pupils may join our academies at different points during the school year, teachers also take account of previous learning when planning and delivering the curriculum.

Within our Medical Provision, PSHE and RSHE delivery may be provided through a more bespoke approach, taking account of individual health needs, professional guidance and pupils' access to education.

Parents and carers

Relationships Education is compulsory for pupils receiving primary education, and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is compulsory for pupils receiving secondary education.

Parents and carers have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from some or all of the sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE, subject to the requirements set out in statutory guidance. This right does not extend to other compulsory elements of Relationships or Health Education or to relevant content taught as part of the statutory Science curriculum.

We encourage parents and carers who have questions about the curriculum, the way RSHE is delivered, or withdrawal from sex education to contact their child's academy. The academy will be happy to discuss the curriculum, the needs of the individual pupil and the relevant statutory requirements.

A copy of the Trust's Relationship & Sex Education Policy can be found here.

Further information about the PSHE and RSHE curriculum is provided by each Academy during admission and induction and is also available within the PSHE section of individual Academy websites.

If you require further information, please contact the Primary/PSHE Lead at your child's Academy.

School Uniform

Medical Academies: Pupils at the Medical APAs do not wear uniform, this includes CHES, Torlands and Sowenna.

Alternative Provisions: The Trust provides a polo shirt and sweatshirt for pupils attending our behaviour APAs (one of each is provided free of charge). Additional uniform can be ordered via the Senior Administrator. Appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn to school.  

Special Academy: Wearing uniform at Glendinning Academy is optional. Pupils can wear whatever clothing they feel comfortable in and the uniform is a choice. The uniform is a grey t-shirt wand a black jumper both embroidered with the Wave logo. If pupils wish to wear uniform but do not feel comfortable without wearing their chosen material, parents can purchase iron on Wave logos. Further information on how purchase the uniform can be accessed by contacting the Glendinning Academy office.

General Information

How Wave Trust support pupils and families financially

Wave Trust are committed to ensuring that none of our pupils face inequitable access to education; this includes barriers that pupils may face due to economic disadvantage. 

Across our Alternative Provision academies pupils are provided with free uniform and all pupils are provided with breakfast and lunch free of charge.  Wave does not charge pupils to attend trips and enrichment, pupils are not required to wear a separate PE uniform and all curriculum items are provided.

Across all of our settings we assist families who are experiencing financial difficulty. This may be through no charge or applying a subsidy and can also be in the form of signposting families to financial information / support from public sector bodies and agencies.

Vaccines 

Kernow Health have created a Q&A guide for information relating to vaccines for year 9 and 10 pupils, this can be found as a pdf in the documents listed at the bottom of this page.

Vaccinations - NHS

A5 Immunisation schedule

NHS Protecting your child against Flu

School Aged Vaccinations in Cornwall and Devon

PREVENT

PREVENT is part of the of the governments counter-terrorism strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Get help for radicalisation concerns - GOV.UK

Its three key objectives are; 

• Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.  
• Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support
• Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalization which we need to address. 

All schools are required by law to teach a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. 

Wave Multi Academy Trust can help to protect children from extremist and violent views in the same ways that it helps  to safeguard children from drugs, alcohol and other issues. 

Wave Multi Academy Trust's main purpose is to  protect children from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and the country’s values.

Online Safety

CEOP  have information for Parents and Carers to help keep children safe follow this link thinkuknow with further helpful information about the digital world found here at Parent Information

Internet Matters Guide supporting children with SEND connecting and sharing online .pdf

 This guidance from the DfE updated in 2021 outlines resources to help keep children safe from different risks online and where to go to get support and advice.

Age-inappropriate content and parental controls

If you have downloaded new apps or bought new technology to help stay connected at this time, remember to review and adjust privacy and safety settings if you or your child is signing up to a new online service.

• Internet Matters has step-by-step guides on how to set up parental controls so that you can control what content your child can access online
• the UK Safer Internet Centre has guidance on how to switch on family-friendly filters to prevent age-inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home
• the NSPCC has more information for parents or carers with concerns about their child seeking inappropriate or explicit content online

Apps to help children stay safe online

The BBC has a website and app called Own It. The website helps children navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most. It can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

SafeToNet is an app for parents to help them protect their children from online risks like cyberbullying and sexting, while respecting their child’s rights to privacy. 

Keep your child safe online

 It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.

Talk to your child about the importance of creating a safe online environment, including keeping any log-in details and passwords safe.

These resources will support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:

• Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) - resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
• Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
• Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP - support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
• National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) -guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
• UK Safer Internet Centre- tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online - you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre
• Inclusive Digital Safety Hub and Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters - support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers
• Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings explains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well

What harms might my child experience online?

You may have concerns about specific harms which children can experience online. There are more resources to help you understand and protect your child from these, including:

• child sexual abuse – a definition
• child criminal exploitation – a definition
• exposure to radicalising content
• youth-produced sexual imagery (‘sexting’)
• cyberbullying
• exposure to age-inappropriate content, such as pornography
• exposure to harmful content, such as suicide content

Cyberbullying

If you are concerned about cyberbullying, you can find government advice and information about how you can protect your child and tackle it if it happens.

Child sexual abuse

 If you are concerned call 999 or report it to the NCA-CEOP.

If your child has been a victim of child sexual abuse – online or offline – and you believe they are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. The police will continue to respond to emergency calls.

If you are concerned that your child has been a victim of online sexual abuse or you are worried about the way someone has been communicating with your child online, you can report it to NCA-CEOP.

These resources provide information and support for parents and carers on what to do if you’re worried about child sexual abuse:

• you can contact the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) for support and advice if you have concerns about your own or another child’s safety. The Together, we can tackle child abuse campaign also provides information on the signs of child abuse and neglect
• Thinkuknow byNCA-CEOP has developed activities to support your child’s safe use of the internet
• the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Parents Protect website has advice on how to help protect children from child sexual abuse including a Harmful Sexual Behaviour Prevention
• if you see sexual images or videos of someone under 18 online, report it anonymously to the Internet Watch Foundation who can work to remove them from the web and help to identify victims and survivors
• you can contact Stop It Now! for information and advice if you have concerns about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour
• you can contact The Marie Collins Foundation  for support, including advice and individual counselling, for your child if they have been subjected to online sexual abuse - support is also offered to parents and carers

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal exploitation and county lines, violence and gangs

The Government's page of advice to parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm has information on this.

Radicalising content

If you are concerned that any family member, friend or loved one is being radicalised, you can call the police or 101 to get advice or make a Prevent referral, so that they can get safeguarding support.

Support is tailored to the individual and works in a similar way to safeguarding processes designed to protect people from gangs, drug abuse, and physical and sexual exploitation.

Receiving support through Prevent is voluntary, confidential and not a form of criminal sanction.

If you need more help, you can also contact your local authority safeguarding team.

• Educate Against Hate Parents’ Hub- resources and government advice for parents and carers on keeping young people safe from extremism, including online
• Let’s Talk About It- support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation
• any member of the public can report terrorist content they find online through the GOV.UK referral tool- more information about what to report and what happens when you do can be found on the Action Counters Terrorism campaign

Sexting

‘Sexting’ (youth-produced sexual imagery)

If you are worried about your child sending nude images or videos (sometimes referred to as ‘youth-produced sexual imagery’ or sexting), NSPCC provides advice to help you understand the risks and support your child.

If your child has shared nude images, Thinkuknow by NCA-CEOP provides advice on talking to your child and where to get help.

So You Got Naked Online created by South West Grid for Learning, has advice for young people and parents affected by sexting, also available in a SEND (Special Educational Need and Disability) version.

Mental Health

Support for children:

If your child is worried or needs support, they can get advice and help from Childline (0800 1111) 

Talking Mental Health  is an animation for children developed by Anna Freud designed to help begin conversations about mental health.

Anna Freud are a world-leading mental health charity for children and families. Visit their website for Self Care tips Self-Care Resources For Young People | Anna Freud

Support for Parents:

For parents and carers : Headstart Kernow  Working to improve the social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Cornwall

Support for pupils with health needs - Support for schools and settings Devon

This may help  NHS website for parents on how they can support their child’s mental health - series of video clips delivered by celebrities. 

Every Mind Matters includes mental well being resources on how to support the well being of children and young people.

Signposts to help those with suicidal thoughts: 

PAPYRUS - Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably is a suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives.

Samaritans Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you, they are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you are worried that someone you know is suicidal, including your child, Samaritans provides advice on how you can support others.

Hub of Hope - The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together. 

Shout is the UK's free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text Shout to 85258

Shout: the UK's free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support | Shout 85258

Visit Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) for free suicide awareness training

If you are struggling with your mental health and need to talk to someone, there is always someone there who wants to listen. Use these UK-wide free helplines and listening services for information, support and advice: ZSA Support directory