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Lesson 2 of 5
  • Year 10

Consent

I can explain what consent means, why it matters, and how to recognise whether it is present.

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View unit
Lesson 2 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10

Consent

I can explain what consent means, why it matters, and how to recognise whether it is present.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Consent must be freely given, informed and is reversible.
  2. Saying nothing is not the same as giving consent.
  3. Consent applies to all types of sexual activity.
  4. Everyone has the right to change their mind.
  5. Power imbalance can affect someone's ability to consent.

Keywords

  • Consent - everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure; it's freely given, can be withdrawn anytime, and requires understanding

  • Coercion - forcing someone to do something against their will through threats, pressure or intimidation

Common misconception

Consent is a one-off agreement.

Consent needs to be ongoing and negotiated, for example, 'Is it ok if I touch you here?' or 'How is this for you?'.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Consent, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask pupils to think about how consent might be broader than just physical intimacy. When else might people negotiate? For instance, sharing something, or playing a computer game, etc.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
In a healthy relationship, people should feel safe to express their and have them respected.

Correct Answer: boundaries, opinions, views

Q2.
Which of these is an example of someone respecting another person's decision?

asking someone repeatedly until they agree
Correct answer: accepting when someone says they don't want to do something
getting upset when someone changes their mind
telling someone they're being silly for saying no

Q3.
Match each scenario to whether it shows healthy or unhealthy behaviour in relationships.

Correct Answer:listening when someone says 'stop',healthy - shows respect for boundaries

healthy - shows respect for boundaries

Correct Answer:ignoring if someone looks uncomfortable,unhealthy - ignores non-verbal communication and feelings

unhealthy - ignores non-verbal communication and feelings

Correct Answer:asking 'are you ok with this?',healthy - checks in and seeks agreement

healthy - checks in and seeks agreement

Correct Answer:making someone feel guilty for saying no,unhealthy - uses emotional pressure to manipulate

unhealthy - uses emotional pressure to manipulate

Q4.
If someone stays silent when asked if they want to do something, what does this mean?

they definitely want to do it
they're not sure, so you should decide for them
they don't mind either way
Correct answer: they haven't clearly agreed, so you shouldn't assume

Q5.
Which of these is an example of how unhealthy relationships can affect physical health?

Correct answer: difficulty sleeping or poor quality sleep
Correct answer: forming harmful coping mechanisms, e.g., heavy drinking
Correct answer: stress-related skin conditions
anxiety or stress from feeling guarded

Q6.
If your friend seems continuously withdrawn, stops talking to other friends and appears anxious, this might be a sign that ...

they're just going through a phase
they don't want to be friends anymore
Correct answer: they're in an unhealthy relationship
they're just busy with schoolwork

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Using threats or pressure to make someone do something against their will is called ...

Correct Answer: coercion

Q2.
Why might someone find it difficult to say 'no' to a teacher, boss, or someone older than them?

Correct answer: because there's a power imbalance in the relationship
because they're too shy
because they always agree with authority figures
because they don't know how to say no

Q3.
Gabe asks his partner if they want to be intimate. His partner doesn't respond and stays quiet. What should Gabe do?

assume silence means yes and continue
Correct answer: stop and ask again more clearly for a verbal response
decide based on their body language alone
assume they don't mind and proceed

Q4.
Jan and Ashley gave consent to kiss. Later, Ashley starts removing Jan's clothing. Does Ashley still have Jan's consent?

Yes, because Jan already gave consent to be intimate.
Yes, because they're in a relationship.
Correct answer: No, consent for one activity doesn't mean consent for everything.
It depends on if Jan gave Ashley consent for this last time they were intimate.

Q5.
Which scenario shows all the key features of valid consent?

agreeing after being told "everyone else is doing it"
saying yes without knowing what you're agreeing to
Correct answer: voluntarily agreeing, understanding what's involved and knowing you can stop
agreeing once you're officially going out with a person

Q6.
Everyone has the right to their mind during sexual activity and can say 'stop' at any time.

Correct Answer: change