From September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) became statutory in all secondary schools in England. There are a great number of benefits for ensuring that RSE is taught as part of the compulsory curriculum. The DfE included in their Impact Assessment report on RSE (2019).

Young people have more information available to them, which enables them to make informed choices. Young people will be able to access an RSE provision that is “planned, age-appropriate and developmental” (DfE, 2019) regardless of the school they attend.

There is evidence in research that suggests that Relationships and Sex Education can help students make informed decisions to keep themselves safe when it comes to recognising sexual abuse or using contraception, and it can potentially result in delaying the age of first intercourse (DfE, 2019).

You can see this evidence on the following graph created by the Sex Education Forum which analyses the results of the latest Natsal survey:

For more information on this, you can visit: https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachment/SRE%20-%20the%20evidence%20-%20March%202015.pdf

Consultation with families
Our most recent RSE consultation took place in November 2025. However, families can get in touch with Ms Bailey (Assistant Principal) at any time by emailing sbailey@thewellsacademy.org to ask any questions or provide any feedback in relation to our RSE curriculum.

Resources
Lesson materials and resources have been developed in partnership with an organisation called Wellio. Families can visit the Wellio website to view sample resources. However, any families wishing to view specific resources may get in touch with Ms Bailey (Assistant Principal) by emailing sbailey@thewellsacademy.org.

The right to withdraw
Families have the right to withdraw their child from part or all of the sex education delivered as part of RSE. When the new requirements come into place, families can do this until 3 terms before their child turns 16. After that, it will be the child's decision. Currently, the RSE guidance does not set any age limit for withdrawing a child from sex education. Families cannot withdraw their child from the Relationships or Health education part of RSE nor from the sex education elements of the Science curriculum. If a student is withdrawn, it will be the academy’s responsibility to ensure they receive appropriate, purposeful education during the withdrawal period.

RSE Policy
To view the RSE Policy, please go to our policies page here.