The Department for Education has introduced updated statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE), which schools are required to implement from September 2026.

In response, we are reviewing our RSE policy and our wider Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic (PSHCE) curriculum to ensure our provision is appropriate, inclusive and responsive to meet the needs of all our learners.

In developing our curriculum, we take careful account of each learner’s:

• Age and stage of development
• Physical and emotional maturity
• Religious and cultural background
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We would value your feedback

We value the important role that parents and carers play in supporting young people’s personal development. We believe that effective RSE and PSHCE work best through a strong partnership between home and school, and we would really welcome your views as part of this consultation.

You can support this process by:

• Reading our RSE policy and PSHCE curriculum plan, which are available below
   

• Completing our online survey, where you can share your views, ask questions, or raise any comments or concerns at a time that suits you. This will be available from Thursday 2 July to Thursday 16 July. 
   

RSE policy 

Survey

Please look at our PSHCE page for the 26-27 curriculum map

Your feedback will help shape the final version of our policy and curriculum, ensuring it reflects both statutory requirements and the needs of our school community.

Thank you for taking the time to support this important process. We look forward to continuing to work together so our RSE and PSHCE provision supports learners to develop healthy, respectful relationships and make informed choices as they move into adulthood.

 iCollege Alternative Education, based in West Berkshire, has been recognised for its outstanding careers work following an assessment on 15th January 2024 and a review on 27^th November 2025.  The school has achieved the gold level of national Quality in Careers Standard awarded under licence by Ixion (Part of the Shaw Trust Group).  The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

iCollege Alternative Education is an Ofsted ‘GOOD’ school, continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all the students. Recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers the school began working towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from year 8 onwards and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows the head teacher, governors and leadership team at iCollege Alternative Education embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students. The school offers a range of activities to introduce students to the work of work and help them make decisions about life after school including work experience, events with local employers and regular opportunities to meet with careers professionals.

Jacquie Davies, head teacher at iCollege Alternative Education, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded by Ixion (Part of the Shaw Trust Group). At iCollege we recognise the important role school plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success. This standard has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our students are receiving advice, practical support and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.”

To find out more about iCollege Careers, contact Ali Haynes, Careers Leader on 07464895993 or ahaynes@icollege.org.uk