SEX
and RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION POLICY
Introduction
Sex and Relationship Education is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of the importance of stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care. It is also about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health.
This policy outlines the purpose, nature and management of Sex Education taught at Birchington CE Primary School. Please refer to the PSHE and other policies relating to sex and relationship education.
This policy reflects the consensus of opinion of the whole teaching staff, and has the full agreement of the Governing Body.
The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all teaching staff.
Aims
Our aim is to help and support children through their physical, emotional and moral development, and to help them learn to respect themselves and others. We aim to give children factual information and teach them what they should do if they are worried about any sexual matters.
Objectives
By the end of Key Stage 2 we will have:
Laid the foundations for personal and social education at Key Stage 3 and 4
Prepared children for puberty
Developed skills and self esteem to help children enter adolescence
Addressed concerns and corrected misunderstandings children may have gained from their peers
Developed skills to help children protect themselves against unwanted sexual experiences
Implementation
Sex Education is taught as part of the curriculum for Personal, Social and Health Education. However, Sex Education may also be taught through other subjects (Science and P .E. for example) where we feel that they contribute significantly to a child's knowledge and understanding of his or her own body and how it is changing.
We teach about the parts of the body and how these work, and we explain to the children what will happen to their bodies during puberty. We encourage the children to ask for help if they need it.
In Year 5, we place a particular emphasis upon personal hygiene.
The majority of sex education is taught to the children in Year 6, although a variety of other PSHE
issues are covered across both Key Stages to fully equip the children with the skills and attitudes necessary for them to benefit effectively from sex education.
We believe it is important children receive balanced, accurate information and advice. Class discussions and Circle Time are ways the children’s feelings and emotions can be recognised and developed.
A range of resources are available to assist teachers with the planning and delivery of Sex and Relationship Education.
Sex Education is always taught with due regard for the emotional development of the children.
We liaise with the Local Health Authority about suitable teaching materials to use with our children in Sex Education lessons. The School Nurse is invited to deliver aspects of the programme.
Monitoring and evaluation
The PHSE coordinator will monitor and evaluate the planning and teaching of Sex and Relationship Education and will liaise with the teaching staff.
The teaching staff are responsible for the ongoing evaluation of the programme.
The Role of Parents
The school is well aware that the primary role in children's Sex Education lies with parents and carers. We wish to build a positive and supporting relationship with the parents of children at our school through mutual understanding, trust and co-operation. In promoting this objective we:
Inform parents about the school's Sex Education policy and practice;
Answer any questions that parents may have about the Sex Education of their child
Take seriously any issue that parents raise with teachers or governors about this policy or the arrangements for Sex Education in the school.
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the Sex Education programme taught in our school except for those parts included in the statutory National Curriculum.
Confidentiality
Sex Education is taught in a sensitive manner and in confidence. However, if a child makes a reference to being involved, or likely to be involved in sexual activity, then the teacher will take the matter seriously and deal with it as a matter of child protection in accordance with the Child Protection Policy.
Equal opportunities
Children will have equal access to Sex and Relationship Education unless specifically withdrawn from this provision by their parents/carers.
Background Documentation
This policy was informed by reference to the DfES document Sex and Relationship Guidance (DfES 0116/2000).
GP – October 2007
Review date – October 2009
