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What is sexism, sexual bullying, harassment and violence, what schools can do to support victims and prevent bullying.
These resources may help if you're completing our Bristol ideal award or other healthy schools awards.
What is sexual bullying?
Sexualised bullying broadly includes any bullying behaviour with a sexual element. It can be both physical and non-physical and it can be carried out to a person's face, behind their back or through the use of technology.
Anti-bullying alliance Go to https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/all-about-bullying/sexual-and-sexist-bullying/what-sexual-bullying (opens new window) states that this behaviour can be between children and young people of any gender and/or sexual orientation, and between children and adults.
Sexual bullying might include:
- sexual comments, taunts and threats
- inappropriate physical contact that makes the recipient feel uncomfortable or scared, this can include hugging and kissing
- distributing sexual material (including pornography), sending photos or videos of a sexual nature
- making phone calls and sending texts or messages of a sexual nature
- ‘games' with a sexual element that may make a child or young person feel uncomfortable or scared. For example taking clothes off, kissing or touching games
- pressure to spend time alone or apart from others with another person, or people, that makes the person feel uncomfortable or scared. For example behind school buildings, in the toilets or changing rooms, in the field
- pressure to be in a relationship with another person, or to engage in a sexual act with another person, both inside and outside of school
- sexism in all its forms; pressure to conform to particular gender ‘norms'. For example pressure on boys to have multiple partners, or pressure on boys and girls to be heterosexual
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is a similar term to sexualised bullying. It is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which makes someone feel distressed, intimidated or humiliated:
- sexually degrading comments, jokes or gestures
- being stared or leered at
- unwanted sexual advances or propositions
- unwanted touching, groping or sexual assault
- texts, emails or social media with a sexual content
How common is sexual harassment and sexual violence?
Sexual harassment and sexual bullying is an everyday occurrence for young people. It's wrongly normalised as a ‘part of growing up' and just ‘banter', which adds to the barriers young people have to reporting it and to teachers policing it.
In the UK, Girl Guiding's attitudes survey Go to https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/research-and-campaigns/girls-attitudes-survey-2017.pdf (opens new window) found that 64% of girls aged 13 to 21 have experienced sexual harassment at school.
Sexual bullying in Bristol schools
During 2013 and 2014, pdf Bristol Public Health carried out research (390 KB) with young people in school years 9 to 13 in Bristol to look at:
- sexual bullying
- harassment
- sexism
Young people confirmed that sexualised bullying happens a lot. One in three stated that posting rude pictures online is happening between peers and 1 in 10 young people say rape threats happen in their school ‘a lot'.
One of the issues they reported was the normalisation of sexism, sexualised bullying and sexual harassment and that it was often framed as ‘just a joke'. This lessened the severity of the problem and made the victim look like they had no sense of humour if they complained.
Young people's understanding of the causes of sexual bullying and harassment
Research was carried out between 2014 and 2015 through a questionnaire and focus groups. It includes recommendations for schools and youth settings on how they can tackle sexual bullying.
Young people reported being under pressure to act up to traditional, heterosexual stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, despite what might seem like great strides forward in gender equality.
Sexism and sexual bullying appear to be used to enforce these stereotypes and highlight when someone has stepped out of place with some girls reporting being told to “know your place” and “get in the kitchen” regularly.
What schools can do to support somebody who discloses sexual harassment and sexual violence
Every school has its own safeguarding policies and procedures. To support these, the government has guidance for schools Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexual-violence-and-sexual-harassment-between-children-in-schools-and-colleges (opens new window) on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools.
The South West Child Protection Go to https://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/ (opens new window) procedures is agreed by the South West Local Safeguarding Children boards and covers all types of child abuse. All the information is based on current legislation and up to date national policy. It is updated regularly and should be followed by all organisations.
For further support, schools can also access the Safeguarding in Education team by email safeguardingineducationteam@bristol.gov.uk or by phoning 0117 922 2710
What to say to the pupil
The initial response to a disclosure from a child is important. It's essential that you reassure them that you believe what they've told you and that they will be supported and kept safe.
They should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor should they ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.
Signposting to additional services
The South West Survivor Pathway Go to http://www.survivorpathway.org.uk/bristol/ (opens new window) lists all the services that can offer children, young people and adults additional and specialist support, with a specialist section on children and young people's services.
Keep Bristol Safe Partnership training
Inter-agency training is available from the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership (KBSP) training team for all settings and organisations across the city of Bristol.
The KBSP training team offer a wide variety of in person or online inter-agency training sessions (levels 2 to 4) relating to safeguarding children, safeguarding adults and community safety themes in keeping with Bristol's collaborative safeguarding and community safety partnership.
Find out which inter-agency courses are available and book.
Safeguarding in education training
Single agency training is also offered by the Safeguarding in Education Team (SET) based within Bristol City Council to education workforces across the city.
To view courses available and book, visit the SET training page.
Managing allegations against people who work with children
It has:
- local and national resources
- local and national guidance
- LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) contact details and a referral form
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lesson plans and activity ideas for years 7 to 11.
Introduction
pdf Introduction to Sex and Stuff (115 KB)
Year 7
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 1 (76 KB)
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 2 (128 KB)
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 3 (74 KB)
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 4 (76 KB)
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 5 (72 KB)
pdf RSE Year 7, Lesson 6 (66 KB)
Year 8
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 1 (78 KB)
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 2 (101 KB)
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 3 (72 KB)
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 4 (80 KB)
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 5 (62 KB)
pdf RSE Year 8, Lesson 6 (141 KB)
Year 9
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 1 (76 KB)
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 2 (96 KB)
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 3 (358 KB)
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 4 (73 KB)
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 5 (70 KB)
pdf RSE Year 9, Lesson 6 (96 KB)
Year 10
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 1 (152 KB)
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 2 (234 KB)
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 3 (570 KB)
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 4 (79 KB)
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 5 (72 KB)
pdf RSE Year 10, Lesson 6 (110 KB)
Year 11
pdf RSE Year 11, Lesson 1 (93 KB)
pdf RSE Year 11, Lesson 2 (146 KB)
pdf RSE Year 11, Lesson 3 (79 KB)
pdf RSE Year 11, Lesson 4 (77 KB)
Information, guidance, and teaching resources about relationships and sexual health in schools.
These resources may help if you're completing one of our healthy schools awards.
Overview of relationships and sexual health
Schools have a role in teaching about, and signposting to services for, sexual health and relationships. Teaching about relationships and sexual health will typically be part of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and PSHE.
Children and young people need good quality RSE in schools in order to:
- stay safe
- understand how their bodies work, including understanding puberty
- take responsibility for their sexual health
- form healthy and fulfilled relationships later in life
From September 2019, Relationship Education in primary schools and RSE in secondary schools will become mandatory.
Young people also need signposting to services relating to their sexual health needs. Schools can do this by promoting local services.
All young people should:
- be able to get confidential advice and support about relationships and sexual health
- feel comfortable asking for help
The positive impact of Relationships and Sex Education
According to the Sex Education Forum Go to https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources/evidence/relationships-and-sex-education-evidence (opens new window), national and international research shows that good quality RSE protects young people.
There's no evidence to suggest that offering young people RSE will encourage them to have their first experience of sex earlier.
In fact, young people who have had good RSE and easy access to services are more likely to:
- choose to have sex for the first time when they're older
- use contraception to protect themselves from STDs and unplanned pregnancies
Furthermore, RSE aims to raise awareness of the law, reduce harmful and abusive behaviours and teach about consent.
Sexual health services for young people
It's important that teachers and support staff can tell young people where and how to access confidential sexual health services.
This may include:
- on site sexual health services offered by school nurses and Brook, the sexual health and wellbeing charity Go to https://www.brook.org.uk/find-a-service/regions/bristol (opens new window)
- young people's clinics offered by Unity Sexual Health Go to https://www.unitysexualhealth.co.uk/ (opens new window)
- advice and services from their GP practice and at pharmacies
Relationships and sex education resources and information
Brook offers free Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) accessing Sexual Health Services assemblies to young people, and free professionals training through Unity Sexual Health. They're also able to deliver RSE sessions and workshops on a large range of topics.
Unity Sexual Health Go to https://www.unitysexualhealth.co.uk/ (opens new window) has information on sexual health services in Bristol, confidential advice to young people, resources for professionals, and a list of the school drop-ins.
FPA, the sexual health charity Go to http://www.fpa.org.uk/ (opens new window) has advice on sexual health, sex and relationships, including free downloadable RSE resources.
Sex Education Forum has useful guidance and resources for schools including Three steps to RSHE success and latest research evidence relating to relationships and sex education (RSE).
Find more information on our PSHE page.
Information, guidance, and teaching resources about physical activity in schools.
These resources may help if you're completing our physical activity specialist or other healthy schools awards.
Physical activity is necessary for a healthy life.
Schools should deliver at least 30 minutes of physical activity Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action (opens new window) every day, through:
- active break times
- PE, at least two hours a week
- extra-curricular clubs
- active lessons
- other sport and physical activity events
Physical education (PE) is a compulsory part of the curriculum Go to https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/statutory-curriculum (opens new window) for all pupils at every Key Stage, from age 4 to 16. Departmental guidance recommends that schools should provide pupils with a minimum of two hours curricular PE per week.
Why physical activity is important
- improve concentration and attention
- reduce anxiety and stress
- have positive mental wellbeing
- with their academic achievements
- have better physical health such as healthy weight, muscular strength, bone health, and cardiorespiratory fitness
- have a positive sense of self
Physical activity can also benefit school staff by:
- improving mood
- reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
- reducing the risk of illnesses
- managing long term health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity
How much physical activity children should be doing
The government's childhood obesity plan for action Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action (opens new window) recommends that:
- children get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day
- at least 30 minutes should be delivered in school every day
- the remaining 30 minutes should be supported by parents and carers outside of school time
Support your staff to exercise
To support your staff to get exercise, you should:
- give them information on the benefits that even small amounts of exercise have towards health and wellbeing
- encourage staff to take breaks and go outside at lunchtime
- put workplace challenges in place, such as taking the stairs and not the lift or swapping the car for a bike twice a week
- promote active travel, such as cycling or walking to school
Physical activity resources
Governors
What works in schools and colleges to increase physical activity? On GOV.UK.
Advice from Modeshift Stars on planning active travel to school Go to https://www.modeshiftstars.org/ (opens new window).
Living Streets walk to school initiatives, resources stories Go to https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/primary-schools (opens new window).
Activities and posters from This Girl Can encouraging girls and young women to take up sport Go to https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/activities/ (opens new window).
NICE guidance on childhood physical activity Go to https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph17 (opens new window).
NICE guidance onphysical activity in the workplace Go to https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph13 (opens new window).
Teachers and school staff
Parents and Carers
Getting active at home: ideas and games with Active for Life Go to https://activeforlife.com/49-fun-physical-activities-to-do-with-kids-aged-2-to-4/ (opens new window).
Personal, Social and Health Education in schools, curriculum guidance, lesson plans.
These resources may help if you're completing our healthy schools awards.
PSHE overview
PSHE helps pupils develop the knowledge, skills and qualities they'll need to deal with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they'll face as they grow up.
PSHE includes the teaching of Relationships and Sex Education and broadly covers:
- health and wellbeing
- relationships
- living in the wider world
According to the PSHE Association, by teaching pupils to stay safe and healthy, and by building self-esteem, resilience and empathy, a PSHE programme can help pupils develop the skills and qualities they need to:
- do better in school
- attend school more regularly
- have better chances of getting a job
This is especially the case among disadvantaged pupils.
Research from the PSHE Association shows that PSHE can address:
- teenage pregnancy
- substance misuse
- unhealthy eating
- lack of physical activity
PSHE can also help with emotional health.
For more evidence on the benefits of PSHE, visit the PSHE Association website Go to https://pshe-association.org.uk/ (opens new window).
PSHE in schools
Most of the PSHE education became compulsory for all schools in September 2020. This covers:
- Relationships Education at key stages 1 and 2
- Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at key stages 3 and 4
- Health Education from key stage 1 to 4. This is sometimes referred to as RSHE, which covers approximately 80% of the PSHE curriculum.
Statutory Guidance is available from the Department of Education Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education (opens new window).
The PSHE Association has a programme of study on their website to help you decide what content to teach, and when.
PSHE in Bristol schools
Bristol Healthy Schools' supports the PSHE Association recommendations:
“The most effective model of delivery for PSHE education is a sequenced, spiral programme that builds on prior learning as pupils progress through school. And like any other school curriculum subject, it needs regular curriculum time – at least an hour a week ideally” (PSHE Association 2022).
Using outside visitors
We provide guidance and planning sheets for using outside visitors in your PSHE lessons:
pdf Outside visitors: best practice guidance (461 KB)
PSHE teaching resources
Curriculum guidance
The PSHE Association set out guidance around curriculum content for schools.
Relationships and Sex Education
The Sex Education Forum Go to https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources (opens new window) has useful advice, resources and lesson plans around consent, gender identity, HIV, pornography and more.
The NSPCC has a set of lesson plans and films called It's Not OK Go to https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/its-not-ok/ (opens new window). They focus on recognising concerning behaviour and healthy and unhealthy relationships.
The Oak Teacher Hub Go to https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/rshe-pshe (opens new window) has PSHE units for early years up to key stage 4.
For any other topic areas, use the PSHE Association's resource search tool Go to https://pshe-association.org.uk/resources-landing (opens new window).
Mental Health lesson packs and practical advice
A set of lesson plans developed by BANES Public Health aimed at primary Go to https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/banes/primary-school-resource-pack/ (opens new window) and secondary Go to https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/banes/secondary-school-resource-pack/ (opens new window) schools.
Public Health England have produced a set of lesson plans and practical advice Go to https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools/topics/mental-wellbeing/overview (opens new window) covering the following topic areas:
- one-to-one relationships
- positive friendships
- bullying and cyberbullying
- self-care
- physical and mental wellbeing
- unhelpful thoughts
- building connections
- worry
- social media
- sleep
- dealing with change
- transition to secondary school
- puberty
- online stress and FOMO (fear of missing out)
- alcohol
- exam stress
- body image in a digital world
Training and support for staff
Healthy Schools can provide information about training around PSHE.
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