New
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Lesson 3 of 5
  • Year 10

Safety, respect and trust in intimate relationships

I can explain the qualities of a healthy intimate relationship, describe unsafe or harmful behaviours, and explain where to get help and support.

Lesson 3 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10

Safety, respect and trust in intimate relationships

I can explain the qualities of a healthy intimate relationship, describe unsafe or harmful behaviours, and explain where to get help and support.

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Healthy intimate relationships are built on mutual respect, trust and open communication.
  2. Consent is essential in all relationships; it must be freely given, enthusiastic and can be withdrawn at any time.
  3. Any behaviour that causes fear, pain, or restricts someone’s movement or breathing is unsafe and against the law.
  4. Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and in control of what happens to their body.
  5. If a relationship feels unsafe or uncomfortable, support is always available from trusted adults or organisations.

Keywords

  • Respect - being considerate of others and the world around you; treating people fairly and how you would like to be treated

  • Trust - the confidence that someone will act in your best interest and be honest with you

  • Consent - everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure; it's freely given, can be withdrawn anytime, and requires understanding

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

Common misconception

Physical closeness means someone always cares about you.

Real care and affection never involve fear, pain or pressure. Any behaviour that makes a person feel scared, trapped or unable to breathe is unsafe and illegal, no matter the intention.


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

Speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson. Reinforce that pupils have the right to feel safe and can always seek help from trusted adults or organisations such as Childline.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an example of someone respecting your boundaries?

ignoring you when you say 'no'
trying to persuade you to change your mind
Correct answer: stopping immediately when you say you're uncomfortable
saying you're overreacting

Q2.
If something in a relationship feels wrong or uncomfortable, you should speak to a adult.

Correct Answer: trusted

Q3.
What is a key sign that someone genuinely cares about you?

Correct answer: they never make you feel scared, pressured or uncomfortable
they always want to spend time together
they get jealous when you see friends
physical closeness is always present

Q4.
What does consent mean?

doing what someone asks to avoid conflict
going along with what everyone else is doing
not saying no when asked
Correct answer: clearly agreeing to something without pressure

Q5.
If someone stays silent when asked if they want to do something, does this mean they've given consent?

Yes, silence means they agree.
Correct answer: No, saying nothing is not the same as giving consent.
Yes, if they don't say no then it's fine.
It depends on the situation.

Q6.
Match each scenario to whether consent is present or not present.

Correct Answer:someone says "yes" enthusiastically,consent is present verbally

consent is present verbally

Correct Answer:someone is pressured until they agree,consent is not present verbally or non-verbally

consent is not present verbally or non-verbally

Correct Answer:someone nods & says "ok, sure!",consent is present verbally and non-verbally

consent is present verbally and non-verbally

Correct Answer:someone shakes their head & says "fine",consent is not present non-verbally

consent is not present non-verbally

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
In a healthy relationship, consent should be ...

assumed once you've been together a while
Correct answer: ongoing and negotiated each time
given once at the start and that's enough
only needed for certain activities

Q2.
What does it mean to respect someone in a relationship?

doing whatever they tell you to do
always agreeing with everything they say
Correct answer: treating them fairly and how you'd like to be treated
never disagreeing with them

Q3.
Trust means believing someone will be with you.

Correct Answer: honest, real, truthful

Q4.
Match each situation to whether it shows a healthy or unhealthy relationship dynamic.

Correct Answer:partner stops when you say "no",healthy relationship as boundaries respected

healthy relationship as boundaries respected

Correct Answer:feeling scared to disagree,unhealthy relationship as no mutual respect

unhealthy relationship as no mutual respect

Correct Answer:lots of messages after you ask for space,unhealthy relationship as boundaries not respected

unhealthy relationship as boundaries not respected

Correct Answer:able to express your feelings openly,healthy relationship as mutual respect

healthy relationship as mutual respect

Q5.
Any behaviour that causes fear, pain, or restricts someone’s movement or breathing is unsafe and ...

Correct Answer: against the law, illegal

Q6.
Fiona's friend tells her that their partner keeps pressuring them to do things they're uncomfortable with. What should Fiona suggest her friend does?

just avoid seeing their partner for a while
Correct answer: contact organisations like Childline or Refuge
keep it private because it's embarrassing
give their partner another chance first
Correct answer: speak to a trusted adult