Notley High School and Sixth Form has become the first educational establishment in Essex to be awarded the Bronze RSHE Recognition Award by Essex Sexual Health Service, delivered by Provide Community and commissioned by Essex County Council.
The RSHE Recognition Awards Scheme supports schools and colleges to develop best practice in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) through a whole-school approach. The scheme focuses on increasing staff confidence, embedding inclusive and comprehensive RSHE, amplifying pupil voice, and engaging parents and carers to support learning beyond the classroom. Educational establishments can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation, recognising their commitment to high-quality RSHE provision.
Notley High School and Sixth Form successfully met the Bronze criteria through a strong and comprehensive RSHE programme, including age-appropriate learning on topics such as healthy relationships, consent, handling unwanted attention, domestic abuse, misogyny, sexual assault and violence. The school also demonstrated a clear commitment to staff training, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, pupil wellbeing, and meaningful engagement with parents and carers.
Sophie Milner, Service Manager, Health Promotion and Education from Essex Sexual Health Service, said: “Notley High School and Sixth Form should be incredibly proud to be the first school in Essex to achieve a Bronze RSHE Recognition Award. Their whole-school approach, commitment to inclusivity, and focus on both student voice and staff confidence strongly reflect the aims of the RSHE Recognition Awards Scheme. High-quality RSHE plays a vital role in supporting young people to feel informed, safe and empowered, and Notley High School and Sixth Form is setting an excellent example for other educational establishments across Essex.”
The school has embedded RSHE across the curriculum, proactively supported LGBTQ+ students, and created opportunities for pupil involvement through initiatives such as the Pride Youth Network, inclusive displays, and clear codes of conduct. Engagement with parents has been strengthened through a comprehensive RSHE policy and active involvement at parents’ evenings.
Michelle Robb, Head of Personal Development Time at Notley High School and Sixth Form said: “Achieving the RHSE award has given us the opportunity to reflect on and strengthen our RSHE provision across the curriculum. Meeting the award criteria has ensured that RSHE is comprehensive, inclusive and consistently embedded, placing students at the centre of our approach. This enables all learners to feel informed, supported and respected, while developing the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to make positive, informed decisions about their relationships, health and wellbeing. The impact is clear in students’ increased engagement, confidence, personal development and readiness for life beyond education, reflecting the positive difference we see every day.”
To mark this milestone, Essex Sexual Health Service visited Notley High School and Sixth Form on Wednesday 14 January 2026, to formally present the Bronze RSHE Recognition Certificate.
Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care at Essex County Council said, “Supporting schools to deliver high-quality RSHE equips young people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their health, relationships and wellbeing. Notley High Schol and Sixth Form’s achievement of the Bronze RSHE Recognition Award is a fantastic milestone, and we hope this inspires other schools across Essex to get involved in the scheme.”
Schools and colleges across Essex are encouraged to find out more about the RSHE Recognition Awards Scheme and how to apply via the Essex Sexual Health Service website.
