Sex and Relationships Education
Sex and Relationships Education
Christow Community Primary School promotes health in it's widest sense; attending to the physical, social and psychological development of it's pupils and the maintenance of good health for all pupils and staff. We believe that emotional and social development are central to our aims and a key element of this is a carefully considered and structured Sex and Relationship Education Policy for all children in the school's care.Sex and Relationship Education should happen in partnership with parents. It has become increasingly recognised that Sex and Relationship Education should not be something that is simply 'bolted on' as children go through puberty, but should be gradually developed as an integral part of the curriculum in a way that is appropriate to the age of the child. It is an entitlement for all children, as part of the curriculum requirements of science (Life process and living things) and health education. The potentially sensitive nature of the subject means that schools must add moral and social questions alongside. Sex and Relationship Education is not just about reproduction and sexual health, but must also strive to enable children to act responsibly in making and maintaining relationships with others, to feel good about themselves and the choices they make. To develop assertiveness skills and the ability to respect themselves and others.
In the context of this the school Sex and Relationship Policy aims to:
Give clear and appropriate information and knowledge by answering children's questions openly, honestly and appropriately.
Promote positive attitudes and values promoting self-esteem and fostering of individual well-being.
Promote the necessary skills for effective communication, long and happy relationships and positive behaviour and development.
Challenge beliefs - often complicated by mis-information.
These objectives can only be achieved as a developmental process beginning in the early years at an appropriate level and progressing through childhood and adolescence into adulthood. It is to this end that we have chosen to use a well-developed and recommended Sex and Relationships programme produced by Channel Four Learning called Living and Growing.
Living and Growing provides the framework for effective Sex and Relationship Education, which relates to the children's stages of development, with activities presented in the context of family life, loving relationships and respect for others. It is a clear programme of planned activities. The following is a brief synopsis of the content of the each unit of the programme:
Key Stage One (Yr 1/2) will use Unit I of the Living and Growing Series which looks at living / nonliving things, boys and girls parts of the body, life cycles, growing up and where do things come from.
Lower Key Stage Two (Yr 3/4) - will use Unit 2 of Living and Growing series. How we change generally, physically, emotionally changes at the onset of puberty - feelings. How babies are made, the importance of loving and caring relationships - lifecycles. How babies are born - development of babies within the womb and needs of mothers and babies.
Upper Key Stage Two (Yr 5/6) will use Unit 3 of Living and Growing Series. Girl talk, physical and emotional changes at the onset of puberty-menstruation. Boy talk, physical and emotional changes / development of relationships. Images of sex created by the media. Conception and contraception.
Each unit is a complete scheme of work in itself and we feel it will be appropriate to repeat the unit for children so that Sex and Relationships Education will be taught every year.
Sex and Relationship Education is taught alongside the PSHE and Science curriculum - and will be part of the teaching programme in all key stages in the Summer term. It will be taught in a three-week block with two lessons taking place each week. The first lesson will comprise watching a programme from the Living and Growing video with follow up discussion, asking and answering questions. Following this lesson the children will take home worksheets, which may form the basis for discussion with parents and carers. The second lesson will provide the opportunity for further discussion, re-watching parts of the video if necessary and taking part in activities suggested in the programme. Children will be taught in three groups: Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4 and Years 5 and 6. All lessons will be taught to girls and boys together.
There will be an opportunity for children to talk to a member of staff on an individual or small group basis during the course of the Sex and Relationships programme. Whenever possible health professionals, especially the school nurse will work in partnership with the school and may come into school to discuss issues with the children.
We also treat questions that the children may wish to ask with sensitivity - a question box is available in Key Stage Two where the children can 'post' questions that will be responded to individually. Children's questions will be answered appropriately and honestly, however some issues raised may inappropriate and they will not be answered, but it will be suggested that they are discussed within the family unit.
The Sex and Relationships programme has been planned with the inclusion of all pupils in mind. It's content will be differentiated to accommodate all levels of ability.
The Living and Growing videos and supporting material are available for viewing in school by any parents wishing to do so. If there are any parental concerns we will be happy to discuss them.
We will respect the beliefs of parents who wish to withdraw their child from a sex education programme. Parents cannot however withdraw their children from aspects of sex education, which are part of the National Curriculum. We will engage in a positive dialogue with a view to illustrating to parents the relevance and importance of such a programme to their child. Parents who still wish to exclude their child from a sex and relationship education programme will be asked to do so in writing to the Headteacher.
Sexual development is a natural process, just one aspect of growing up emotionally, socially, emotionally and physically. Each is an integral part of growing to adulthood and independence.
Our Sex and Relationships programme aims to enable children to make comparisons with their own development and to reflect on their own relationships in positive ways.
Sex and Relationships Education guidelines
1. We believe that Sex and Relationships education should happen in partnership with parents. As with all other areas of our school, a positive effort will be made to inform and involve parents at all stages of the sex education scheme of work delivered in out school. We also hope to provide advice to parents, where appropriate.
2. It is recognised that sex education is part of the more general area of Personal and Social Education and that this area is considered important and valuable throughout the school.
3. It is also recognised that there are appropriate bodies of knowledge for an appropriate age or stage of readiness.
4. Sex education in our Primary School will deal with sexuality in the broader context of the individual life and society. It will respect the family as a context for procreation growth and maturing.
5. We will respect the beliefs of parents who wish to withdraw their child from a sex education programme. Parents cannot, however, withdraw their children from aspects of sex education which are part of the National Curriculum.
6. We will attempt to convince parents of the relevance and importance of such a programme to their child.
7. Parents, who still wish to exclude their child from a sex education programme, will be asked to do so in writing to the Headteacher. Back to top