Under section 3.6 of the National Curriculum, RSE is compulsory from Year 7 onwards.  Secondary schools must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state as outlined in section 80A of the Education Act 2002 and section 403 of the Education Act 1996. As a maintained secondary school we must provide RSE to all pupils as per the Children and Social work act 2017: sections 34 and 35. This policy also complies with the advice given to schools by the Department for Education about the requirements of The Equality Act 2010.

The Heathland School is a multi-cultural community involving parents/guardians, pupils, Governors and staff.  It is therefore of critical importance that the views and beliefs of all sections of the community are taken into account in the content and delivery of RSE. There are strongly held views and religious beliefs about aspects of RSE such as abortion, and the religious convictions of pupils and their parents should be accepted. However throughout our RSE programme we will be clear that the 9 protected characteristics (These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation) are respected and acknowledge at all times in our curriculum and are the basis of the equality laws in the United Kingdom.