Brookhaven School — PSHE & Wellbeing
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Jigsaw PSHE — a whole-school, mindful approach to health and wellbeing for students aged 11–16.Relationships, Sex & Health Education — A Guide for Parents and Carers
Since September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) has been compulsory in all secondary schools in England, and Health Education compulsory in all state-funded schools — as mandated by the Department for Education.
At Brookhaven, we deliver RSHE through the Jigsaw PSHE 11–16 programme — a comprehensive, mindful approach that brings together Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, emotional literacy, social skills, and mental health and resilience development. Teaching builds on what your child learnt at primary school and develops progressively throughout KS3 (ages 11–14).
This guide sets out what RSHE looks like for KS3 students at Brookhaven, why it matters, and what you as a parent or carer can do to support your child's learning.
The Jigsaw 11–16 programme includes six units of study (Puzzles), each with six lessons (Pieces), taught sequentially throughout the school year — one per term. The programme is designed as a whole-school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme at the same time.
Being Me in My World
Identity, belonging, rights and responsibilities. Students explore what it means to be part of a community and understand their role within it.
Celebrating Difference
Diversity, inclusion, prejudice and bullying. Students learn to value difference and understand the Equality Act's protected characteristics.
Dreams and Goals
Aspirations, resilience and employability. Students set personal goals, develop strategies for success and explore future pathways.
Healthy Me
Physical health, mental wellbeing, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Students build understanding of how to stay physically and emotionally healthy.
Relationships
Friendships, family relationships, intimate relationships and online safety. Students learn to recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Changing Me
Puberty, body image, sexual health, consent and growing up. Students are supported through the physical and emotional changes of adolescence.
“Effective RSE takes away ignorance, not innocence. Research shows consistently that high-quality RSE delays first sexual experience and reduces risk-taking.”
Key Topics at a Glance
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What Students Learn in RSE
Families and long-term relationships, respectful friendships, online relationships and the law, safety in relationships, intimate relationships, sexual health, and the Equality Act's protected characteristics.
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What Students Learn in Health Education
Mental wellbeing, internet safety, physical health and fitness, healthy eating, drugs/tobacco/alcohol, puberty and body changes, basic first aid, and how to seek help and support.
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Your Right to Withdraw
Parents and carers may request withdrawal from some or all sex education within statutory RSE (up to 3 terms before age 16). There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education or Health Education.
Media Exposure
More than ever before, students are exposed to representations of sex and sexuality through the media and social culture — their education needs to present a balanced view.
Sexual Health & Wellbeing
Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy in the UK remain high, as does regret felt by young people after early sexual experiences.
Parents Want It
Research shows that most parents say they want the support of schools in providing RSE for their children.
Evidence-Based
Research shows consistently that effective RSE delays first sexual experience and reduces risk-taking, despite what many people believe to the contrary.
Student Feedback
Surveys consistently report that young people find RSE comes too late in their education and is too focused on biology — not enough on building relationships and emotional health.
Statutory Requirement
RSE and Health Education are part of the statutory curriculum in England (DfE, 2020) — every secondary school is required to provide it.
Supporting Safeguarding Through PSHE Education
Teaching about safety and relationships as part of PSHE Education is a crucial part of how schools approach the safeguarding of pupils.
Effective PSHE helps students to recognise when they and others are at risk, and equips them with the skills, strategies and language they need to take appropriate action. This is central to fulfilling statutory safeguarding duties and to meeting Ofsted expectations.
Ofsted has expressed concern that a lack of high-quality, age-appropriate RSE in over a third of schools left young people vulnerable to inappropriate sexual behaviours and exploitation. PSHE Education plays a vital part in helping schools meet their safeguarding responsibilities.
The Jigsaw approach is underpinned by mindfulness, helping students observe and regulate their own thoughts and feelings, make conscious decisions about their learning and lives, and manage stress and anxiety. Schools focusing on wellbeing and mental health create healthier environments for both students and staff.
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A focus on wellbeing and mental health directly supports effective learning and safeguarding across the school community.Thinking of Withdrawing Your Child?
Parents and carers have the right to request withdrawal from some or all sex education within statutory RSE — but not from Relationships Education or Health Education.
The school will discuss withdrawal requests with you, including the benefits of the education and any detrimental effects withdrawal might have on your child.
- Withdrawal is available up to 3 terms before the child turns 16
- After that, if the child wishes to receive sex education, the school will make arrangements
- Withdrawn pupils must receive appropriate, purposeful education during that period
- Parents cannot withdraw from Science lessons covering reproduction — this is a statutory subject
How You Can Support Your Child
- Talk openly with your child about what they are learning in PSHE lessons
- Read the school’s RSHE (PSHE) Policy, available from the school office or website
- Speak to your child’s teacher or Head Teacher if you have any questions
- Visit the Jigsaw PSHE website to learn more about the programme content
- Remind your child they can always speak to a trusted adult if they have worries or questions
Further Information & Resources
Jigsaw PSHE
Learn more about the programme your child follows:
www.jigsawpshe.com
Tel: +44 (0)1202 377192
DfE Guidance
Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education:
gov.uk — RSE and Health Education guidance
Talk to Us
Contact Brookhaven School directly to speak to the Head Teacher or PSHE lead about any aspect of this programme.