Dear Parent/Carer,

At Stone Soup Academy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationship and Sexual Health Education (RSHE) are deeply embedded into the framework of everything we do in an effort to produce healthy and happy adults, as exemplified in our ethos of “Creating Unimagined Futures.” 

PSHE and RSHE are subjects by which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to manage their lives independently, focusing on key themes of Relationships, Health and Wellness and Living In The Wider World.

It is very important to us that you as parents/carers are aware of what your children are learning whilst with us, so we have included below details and an overview of the themes we will be covering over the 2022/2023 academic year, divided by Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). 

RSHE is a statutory requirement for Key Stage 3 and 4, however, as a parent or carer, you have the right to withdraw your child from Sex Education until 3 terms before they turn 16. Please contact the academy if you would like to withdraw your child from the teaching of sex education.

It is important to stress the benefits of Sex Education for young people as they transition into adulthood. By equipping our students with a good understanding of reproductive health, our pupils will be more confident to confront potentially stressful and life altering decisions than without. RSHE is not a lesson that can be passed with an exam, the true test will be in real life situations that young people encounter and how they navigate through them.

It is also important that we consider where students may learn some of this information if not in a classroom. It is likely that students will gain knowledge second-hand from peers who may have only a partial understanding of the materials. Teachers are better prepared to deliver the materials to our pupils, with a wide range of resources available from organisations and charities dedicated to the health of young people. Similarly, there can be unforeseen social and emotional effects on a child who is not involved in group learning. Our goal is to provide top quality Sex Education to ensure that our pupils flourish and make safe and healthy choices as they gain further independance.

Naturally, you may have questions and concerns, so please do not hesitate to speak with your child’s personal coach or get in touch with the PSHE/RSHE Lead, Osiris Santana-Morin on:

Phone: 07519 127 321

Email: OSantana@StoneSoupAcademy.org.uk

If you have any feedback about what is being delivered in the academy then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your continued support

Kind regards

Kerrie Henton

Principal