Relationships, Sex and Health Education Curriculum

RSHE Curriculum 2025-2026

The RSHE Curriculum was updated by the government ready for delivery from September 2026. Using lessons from the Jigsaw and Pol-Ed schemes of learning, our staff deliver a customised curriculum across three Key Stages.

The lessons are chosen to meet the needs of our transient cohort, and the curriculum allows for flexibility to allow staff to respond to events in the media and world news as they happen, helping students to navigate their journey through what can be a confusing and challenging time.

What are the guiding principles for relationships, sex and health education?

Engagement with pupils. Our inclusive and well-sequenced RSHE curriculum is informed by meaningful engagement with pupils to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and engaging.
Engagement and transparency with parents. It is our intention to be transparent with parents about all materials used in RSHE. All materials are available to parents upon request.
Parents have a right to request that their children are withdrawn from sex education and schools should ensure parents are aware of sex education content within lessons in advance.
Positivity. In keeping with our key values of relational inclusion, lessons focus on building positive attitudes and skills, promoting healthy norms about relationships, including sexual relationships where relevant, and about health, including mental health.
Careful sequencing. Our scheme of learning covers all statutory topics, recognising that young people can start developing healthy behaviour and relationship skills as soon as they start school. Students are supported and equipped with the knowledge to navigate different experiences in a positive way before they occur, and to prevent harms.
Relevant and responsive. Our curriculum as been designed to be relevant, age and stage appropriate and accessible to students in their area, where appropriate, working with local partners and other bodies to understand specific local issues and ensure needs are met.
Skilled delivery of participative education. The curriculum should be delivered by school staff or, where schools choose to use them, external providers who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a safe and supportive environment and to facilitate participative and interactive education which aims to support and not to alarm pupils. Staff should be trained in safeguarding and offering support, recognising the increased possibility of disclosures. At Tameside Alternative Provision Academy, all staff delivering RSHE are Level 3 Safeguarding trained.

Themes covered within the curriculum:

Families and respectful relationships
Intimate and sexual relationships
Online safety and awareness
Gender equality and protected characteristics
Health and wellbeing – including physical and mental health
British values, including aspects of the law and how it affects their lives