Kirkby College
Sex and Relationship Education Policy
PLEASE NOTE THIS POLICY IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
What is Sex and Relationship Education?
DCSF guidance states that:
‘The objective of sex and relationship education is to help and support young people through their physical, emotional and moral development. A successful programme, firmly embedded in PSHE, will help young people learn to respect themselves and others and move with confidence from childhood through adolescence into adulthood.’
Effective Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed decisions about their lives by providing them with accessibleinformation. The SRE programme is designed to help students to understand the concepts involved and develop their own values and the impact that values have on behaviour.It is important to acknowledge that SRE does not promote early sexual activity and it does not promote any particular sexual orientation.
SRE education has three main elements:
- Attitudes and values
– Learning the importance of values and individual conscience and moralconsiderations;
– Learning the value of family life, marriage, and stable and loving relationships forthe nurture of children;
– Learning the value of respect, love and care;
– Exploring, considering and understanding moral dilemmas; and
– Developing critical thinking as part of decision-making.
- Personal and social skills
– Learning to manage emotions and relationships confidently and sensitively;
– Developing self-respect and empathy for others;
– Learning to make choices based on an understanding of difference and with anabsence of prejudice;
– Developing an appreciation of the consequences of choices made;
– Managing conflict; and
– Learning how to recognise and avoid exploitation and abuse.
- Knowledge and understanding
– Learning and understanding physical development at appropriate stages;
– Understanding human sexuality, reproduction, sexual health, emotions andrelationships;
– Learning about contraception and the range of local and national sexual healthadvice, contraception and support services;
– Learning the reasons for delaying sexual activity, and the benefits to be gainedfrom such delay; and
– The avoidance of unplanned pregnancy.
Delivery of SRE
SRE at Kirkby College reflects the school ethos and demonstrates and encourages the following values:
-Respect for self
-Respect for others
-Responsibility for their own actions
-Responsibility for their family, friends, school and wider community
Kirkby College provides a SRE programme which incorporates the PSHE framework in addition to the National Science Curriculum topics. The personal beliefs and attitudes of teachers will not influence the teaching of SRE within the PSHE framework.
National Curriculum Science
Key Stage 3
1. d) that fertilisation in humans... is the fusion of a male and a female cell
2. f) about the physical and emotional changes that take place duringadolescence
g) About the human reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle andfertilisation
h) how the foetus develops in the uterus
n) how the growth and reproduction of bacteria and the replication of viruses can affect
health
Key Stage 4
2. f) the way in which hormonal control occurs, including the effects of sexhormones
g) some medical uses of hormones, including the control and promotion offertility
l) the defence mechanisms of the body
3. d) how sex is determined in humans
Delivery of sex and relationship education is not the sole responsibility ofschools; Kirkby College works effectively in partnership with parents and others members of the wider community. Health professionals, social workers, youth workers, peer educators, and visitors who contribute to the delivery of SREmust abide by the school’s policy. All materials used in the SRE programme are in accordance with the framework and the law, recognising the age and cultural background of the students concerned.
Complaints
If there are any issues that need to be reported we ask those involved to refer to the Kirkby College Complaints Procedure.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The SRE programme will be reviewed frequently to ensure that it is in line with government guidelines, and so the needs of our students are met. It will take place in the following ways:
-Students will regularly assess the effectiveness of their lessons inSRE
-Staff will monitor and evaluate the delivery of lessons through peer and self-assessment
-Parents/ carers are invited to raise any issues with the PSCHE Faculty Leader
-The PSCHE Faculty Leader will liaise with outside agencies with expertise to enhance the SRE programme
Parents’ right to withdrawal
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the SRE programme provided at school except for those parts included in thestatutory National Curriculum. Those parents wishing to exercise this right are invited in to see the head of faculty who will explore any concerns and discuss the impact that withdrawal may have on the child. Once a child has been withdrawn, they cannot participate in the SRE programme until the request for withdrawal has been removed.
Confidentiality
Students best interests are maintained through the delivery of SRE and ground rules in each class are enforced to ensure this. Students are encouraged to talk to their parents or carers, but they will also be informed of sources of confidential help.
Teachers cannot offer unconditionalconfidentiality and if confidentiality has to be broken, students will be informedfirst and then supported as appropriate.
If a member of staff learns that a student under 16 is sexually active or contemplating sexual activity, Kirkby College will ensure that:
-The student is encouraged to talk to their parent/carer
-Any Child Protection issues are addressed
-The student receives appropriate support and information
The SRE policy has been approved by the head teacher and Governors and is available on the school website. Any queries in relation to the policy are to be directed the PSCHE Faculty Leader.