Dealing with ‘sensitive’ RSE topics is one of our specialities, we’ve been doing it for years and welcome the new guidance for PSHE and RSE. (Sometimes also known as PSHEE and SRE!)
From September 2020 Schools have a mandatory responsibility to deliver additional health education alongside Relationships and Sexual Education (RSE). We believe this is a very positive step and will enhance the suite of PSHE subjects delivered within schools AND improve the knowledge and skills of young people as they embark on their journeys to adulthood.
In the Statutory Guidance[1]on Health, Relationships and Sex Education (PSHE and RSE) published in 2019 states in its introduction the following:
“To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, pupils need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. Pupils can also put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks, challenges and complex contexts. Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. These subjects can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support”.
We could not agree more and are delighted to be able to deliver sessions which support schools – both face to face and virtually. Our Life By The Balls and Domestic Violence: Sarah’s Legacy keynotes both support the PSHE / RSE guidance and have been delivered and honed over the past ten years.
Life By The Balls is our founder, Bernie’s, brush with testicular cancer in his early twenties. It’s a funny, revealing, honest and informative session that will make boys take checking themselves seriously. Bernie tells how his girlfriend at the time was the one who prompted him to go to the doctors and take charge of his health. There is information about what to look out for and what to do if anything is of concern.
Domestic Violence: Sarah’s Legacy is the tragic story of what happened to Bernie’s sister when she moved in with a violent man. She didn’t realise it at the time but her partner was a dangerous abuser and he became more so as the relationship developed. Bernie tells Sarah’s life story and experiences with a passion and sensitivity which is both shocking and moving. Statistics and information are shared as well as practical advice if audience members are personally affected by the talk and subject matter. The aim of the talk is to educate young people on what constitutes domestic / relationship abuse and coercive control and what they can do about it if they or someone they know if affected by it.
Both sessions can be delivered as assemblies, carousel sessions or keynote talks and now can be delivered remotely using Zoom or other remote working systems. Support and pre-talk information is shared as well as discussion with school pastoral support staff to ensure they are aware of potential ‘triggering’ which can sometimes occur with both sessions.
We delivered our Life By The Balls session to 120 Yr 13 students on 26 February 2014 at Woodbridge High School, London. Afterwards the Deputy Head Talvin Depula of the School said that it was the “best Year 13 enrichment workshop we’ve ever had”.
After the domestic violence workshop at Stretford High School, 100% of participants had a better understanding of Domestic Abuse / Violence and 100% would know what to do if they / close friends were victims of Domestic Violence.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for availability to deliver in person or virtually, using whichever system your school prefers.
[1]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908013/Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education.pdf