RSHE
Harris Academy Merton is committed to delivering the Department for Education’s (DfE) statutory guidance Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (RSHE) found HERE.
The Academy acknowledges that in July (2025) the DfE released the new statutory guidance that will come into force in September 2026 found HERE. Significant consideration to this new statutory guidance was given when planning the RSHE curriculum as we are keen to ensure our students benefit from the latest advice and are kept up to date on National safeguarding agendas.
RSHE Policy
Harris Academy Merton’s RSHE Policy can be found HERE.
We invite all parents and carers annually to read and complete the survey found HERE where you can submit comments about the policy or simply ask a question. In the Policy you will be able to view:
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Our statement of intent
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The statutory content
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How and when RSHE is delivered and taught
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How RSHE is monitored and evaluated
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Parents right to request withdrawal from sex education
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How safeguarding plays an integral role within RSHE
At Harris Academy Merton, RSHE Education is delivered through:
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The curriculum subjects of Science, Religious Studies, Food Technology, Physical Education and Computer Science.
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RSHE lessons.
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Faith, Lifestyle, Inclusion, Culture, Society (FLICS) lessons.
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The assembly programme.
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Drop down sessions and external speakers.
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Bespoke sessions for students with special educational needs.
Our RSHE drop down sessions have the same theme as the termly RSHE themes and aim to embed knowledge contextually across year groups and bring the school community together. As such, during these drop-down sessions, students in Years 7 to 13 experience further development of the three termly themes: Healthy Relationships, Health and Wellbeing and Living in the Wider World. The content of these sessions also considers the current local and national safeguarding context.
Safeguarding Assemblies – Led by the DSL
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Term 1
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Term 2
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Term 3
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Safeguarding expectations Reporting How to keep yourself safe |
Safety and reducing risk Illegal substances Knife crime |
Safety and street intelligence Vigilant and alertness Personal safety |
Character Building Through RSHE
We are committed through the RSHE curriculum to develop students who have the character qualities needed to be successful in our modern world. Students are expected to consistently demonstrate excellence, resilience, ambition, and integrity. Within our RSHE curriculum, students will explore different contexts, which will require them to reflect upon and enhance their own character and explore what it means to show character.
Sex Education
Sex education is taught in Year 9 and 10 Science lessons and Year 9 and 10 drop down sessions with the DSL. A parent guide produced by the Department for Education, understanding sex and health education can be found HERE.
Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE. Parents do not have the right to withdraw their pupils from relationships and health education, nor can they be withdrawn from topics taught as part of the science curriculum, including science topics related to puberty or sexual reproduction.
Before granting any request for withdrawal of a child from sex education, the Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead will discuss the request with parents, and the child if appropriate, to understand the request and to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum. Should parents or carers wish to withdraw their child from sex education, they will be invited to discuss the request with the Principal by emailing info@harrismerton.org.uk.
Feedback from governors, parents, staff and students is welcomed and a representative sample of RSHE lessons and resources can be found below.
