Relationships, Sexual health and Parenthood
RSHP is a key element of the Health and Wellbeing area of Curriculum for Excellence. Health and Wellbeing is one of the eight curricular areas in Curriculum for Excellence. Its importance is reflected in its position at the centre of the curriculum and at the heart of children’s learning. Along with literacy and numeracy it is one of the three core areas that are the responsibility of all staff in learning establishments.
Learning about relationships, sexual health and parenthood has never been more important or necessary. It seems our children are exposed more and more to influences we would rather they were not, such as pressures relating to body image, the impact of negative behaviours on social media on their mental health, or the exposure to pornography. While this can feel overwhelming, if we present factual views of the world, based on respect and building the capacity of children and young people to understand what they see so they can decide for themselves to reject negative messages, then educators and parents and carers can help build resilience and positive values.
Research evidence shows that learners who take part in RSHP education at school are more likely to delay sexual activity until they are physically and emotionally mature enough to be able to manage sexual relationships, and are less likely to experience adverse outcomes compared to those who have not taken part.
We use a resource called RSHP, which has been developed for schools in Scotland, from Early Level right through to the Senior Phase.
In S1-3, we will mainly use resources from 3rd and 4th Levels. Here are the main things we learn about:
When it comes to relationships young people learn about:
- Loving relationships and being attracted to others
- Making relationships work
- Respect for others and the importance of being kind – in our face-to-face relationships and online.
When it comes to being safe young people learn about:
- Social media and being safe and smart online
- What we mean by consent
- Abuse in relationships – considering grooming, sexual exploitation, partner control, coercion and violence
- Pornography – what it is and what harm it does
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Who they can go to for help and support, including Sexual Health Services.
When it comes to growing up and learning about their body young people learn about:
- Puberty and how the bodies and emotions of both girls and boys change as they grow – this includes menstruation (periods) and masturbation.
When it comes to emotional wellbeing young people learn about:
- Feeling emotional
- Looking after themselves and others
- Body image and the pressures on young people
When it comes to gender young people learn about:
- Gender stereotypes
- Equality
- That they can be any kind of boy or girl they want to be
- Feminism
- Sexual harassment
When it comes to being a parent/carer young people learn about:
- Being a parent and thinking about what kind of parent they would be
- How having a baby changes the parent’s life
- Important things about child development including the importance of nurture and play for babies and children
When it comes to sex and sexuality young people learn about:
- The age of consent
- The pressures young people can feel about having sex
- That some people are lesbian gay, bisexual or transgender
- That sex should be something that is pleasurable
- Getting pregnant, contraception and condoms
- What we mean when we talk about human sexuality
- The idea of sexual rights
How do we learn at school?
Young people at this age are curious. They are really interested in how people get on, thinking about relationships, thinking ahead about sex and learning about their bodies.
While young people are becoming more independent, and learning at school is important, they also remain dependent on their parents and carers to look after them, love and care for them and help them learn behaviours and values for life. At school we will use conversations and online material to support learning about health and wellbeing.
Learning at Home – Ideas for parents and carers about learning at Third and Fourth Level:
Your child is at secondary school now, but you remain your child’s first and most important teacher. With your child at school, there is the opportunity for parents/carers and schools to work together to help your child to learn.
More information on how to support what your child is learning in school can be found here:
If you have any questions, or would like any further information, please contact Brenda Hughson, PT Pupil Support, at the school.
