2nd October 2024

Dear Parent/Carer,

As a part of your child’s education at Stone Soup Academy, we promote personal wellbeing and

development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education

programme. PSHE education is the curriculum subject that gives young people the knowledge,

understanding, strategies and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential. 

As part of our Year 9 PSHE/Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) curriculum, your child will have one dedicated lesson a week and discussions within tutor times covering topics such as: 

• families 
• conflict
• growing and changing including puberty
• personal hygiene
• changing feelings
• becoming more independent
• keeping safe and consent, contraception
• risk of sexually transmitted diseases
• healthy relationships including friendships and intimate relationships between all genders 
• developing self-esteem and confidence
• diet and exercise
• employability
• online presence
• career options and goal setting ahead of GCSE options

Our curriculum is devised by the PSHE association and Votes4Schools, ensuring that it is factual, topical and age appropriate. Pupils will have opportunities to ask questions that help prepare them for wider life outside of school and instil them with the confidence and skills to actively participate and contribute to society. All PSHE/RSHE/SMSC teaching takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school ethos and values.

Parents/carers are not able to withdraw their child from any aspect of Relationships or Health education, however parents/carers are able to withdraw their child (following discussion with the school) from any or all aspects of Sex education (other than those which are part of the science curriculum) up to and until three terms before the age of 16. 

If you do wish to withdraw your child from any aspect of the sex education tuition, please contact me in writing outlining your concerns. Before doing this, I would encourage you to attend the parent information session between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the 28th November 2024, as part of our celebration evening. This will give you an opportunity to find out more about what your child will learn, view the materials and resources being used in lessons, discover how you can best support your child to discuss these topics at home and ensure you are fully informed before you make a decision. 

For more specific information, and to see a detailed curriculum plan before then, please refer to the courses section of our website; https://www.stonesoupacademy.org.uk/students/ or the PSHE/RSHE/RE policy. As a school community, we are committed to working in partnership with our parents and referrers so any questions or concerns about anything mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact me; ksmith@stonesoupacademy.org.uk.

Best wishes,

Katy Smith

Assistant Principal: Personal Development