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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the features of a healthy romantic relationship.

      Key learning points

      1. Healthy romantic relationships should benefit both people.
      2. Good partners will be loving, kind, caring and respectful towards each other.
      3. Good partners should not make each other feel scared, nervous, disrespected or unsafe.
      4. Partners should make each other feel supported and joyful.
      5. Healthy partners should make each other feel loved and liked.

      Keywords

      • Relationship - the connection between two people

      • Romantic - the connection between two people who are in love or find each other attractive

      • Partner - a person who is in a long-term romantic relationship

      • Respect - treating others kindly and valuing their feelings, ideas and boundaries; for example, listening carefully and being polite, even if you disagree

      • Disrespected - when a person isn't treated kindly, their feelings and ideas aren't valued, or their boundaries aren't considered

      Common misconception

      Couples should stay together no matter what.

      Relationships should always feel loving and supportive. Couples can seek help and try strategies to improve their relationship, but abusive behaviour is never justified.

      Teacher tip

      Make connections between the features of healthy friendships and healthy romantic relationships. The basic features are the same in all relationships: they should make us feel safe and supported.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the definition.

      Correct Answer:friendship,a relationship between friends, built on trust and care

      a relationship between friends, built on trust and care

      Correct Answer:boundary,an imaginary line separating what we will and won't allow

      an imaginary line separating what we will and won't allow

      Correct Answer:pressure,when people try to persuade or force you to do something

      when people try to persuade or force you to do something

      Q2.
      How should friendships feel?

      Correct answer: safe
      unsafe
      pressurising
      Correct answer: respectful

      Q3.
      Sometimes we should say to friends, especially if it is to do with our boundaries.

      Correct Answer: no, stop

      Q4.
      Which of the following are green flags in a friendship?

      Correct answer: accepting and appreciating each other's differences
      feeling ignored
      feeling disrespected
      Correct answer: feeling listened to

      Q5.
      How can we repair friendships?

      Correct answer: by listening to the persons's feelings
      Correct answer: by compromising
      by waiting for the other person to make the effort
      Correct answer: by taking responsibility for our actions

      Q6.
      Which of the following statements are true?

      Correct answer: All friendships require effort.
      A good friendship requires no effort.
      We should stay in friendships no matter what.
      Correct answer: Sometimes we need to walk away from unhealthy friendships.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the definition.

      Correct Answer:relationship,the connection between people

      the connection between people

      Correct Answer:partner,a person who is in a long-term romantic relationship

      a person who is in a long-term romantic relationship

      Correct Answer:disrespected,when a person isn't treated kindly & their boundaries aren't valued

      when a person isn't treated kindly & their boundaries aren't valued

      Q2.
      romantic relationships should make both partners happy.

      Correct Answer: Healthy

      Q3.
      Which of the following are traits of a healthy relationship?

      feeling nervous
      Correct answer: feeling safe
      Correct answer: respecting each other
      controlling each other

      Q4.
      How can we keep a relationship healthy?

      Correct answer: communicate our thoughts, feelings and boundaries
      stay in the relationship for as long as possible
      Correct answer: accept and appreciate each other's differences
      spend as much time as possible together

      Q5.
      Which of the following statements are true?

      Couples should stay in a relationship no matter what.
      Correct answer: It's okay to break up if we're not happy in a relationship.
      Correct answer: We should leave relationships that make us feel unsafe.

      Q6.
      Which relationships should we avoid?

      Correct answer: relationships that pressure us to do things we don't want to do
      relationships where both partners have mutual respect
      Correct answer: relationships that make us feel bad about ourselves
      relationships where we feel safe to talk about our feelings

      To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Healthy romantic relationships, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...