Best Practice

Secondary RSE and SEND inclusion

Relationships, sex and health education is a statutory requirement from this month. Rachael Baker looks at what we must do to ensure our curriculum is inclusive for SEND learners and offers some resources, advice and ideas


It is finally here: statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) for every child.

The government guidance is very clear that “relationships education, RSE and health education must be accessible for all pupils”. Framing teaching in the Equalities Act, the guidance stipulates that this is particularly important for the large minority of our learners who have SEND, both in special schools and mainstream settings (DfE, 2019).

The key to delivering an inclusive RSHE curriculum is differentiation and personalisation. But with such diversity of needs and ability, how do we offer a truly differentiated learning experience in mainstream secondary classrooms?

In many ways, special schools and specialist settings have the inside track on differentiation. Often enjoying more generous timetable allocations, perhaps with a whole school focus more attuned for skills for life and preparation for adulthood. In special schools we can take our time, focus on the journey, and overlearn.

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