SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS
POLICY
Last Reviewed: February 2017 Adopted by Governors: Feb 2017 Next Review: Feb 2020
Aims and Objectives
Sex and relationship education is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of the importance of loving and caring relationships. It is about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health.
Research demonstrates that good, comprehensive sex and relationship education does not make young people more likely to become sexually active at a younger age. Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (DfEE 0116/2000)
The staff and Governors of Annie Lennard Primary School believe that effective Sex and Relationship education is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed decisions about their lives. We firmly believe that SRE can be firmly embedded into the PHSE, SEAL and Citizenship framework. This framework will work alongside other aspects of the curriculum in helping pupils develop the skills and understanding they need to live confident, healthy and independent lives. Furthermore, the provision of SRE at Annie Lennards should reflect the diversity of the children’s cultures and faiths.
SRE in the Curriculum
In line with national recommendations, SRE at Annie Lennard Primary School will be delivered through the PHSE, Science, Jigsaw, SEAL and Citizenship frameworks.
SRE at Annie Lennard Primary School should cover the following areas:
· Attitudes and values.
· Personal and social skills.
· Knowledge and understanding
SRE at Annie Lennard should contribute to the foundation of PHSE, SEAL and Citizenship by ensuring that all pupils:
· Learn to respect themselves and move with confidence from childhood to adulthood.
· Develop the confidence to think, listen and talk about feelings and relationships.
· Are prepared for puberty.
· Are able to name parts of the body and describe how their bodies work.
· Are able to protect themselves and ask for help and support.
Children in year 6 should also be taught about:
· Changes in the body related to puberty such as periods and voice breaking.
· Issues that the above changes may cause and how to deal with them.
· How a baby is conceived and born.
Pupils at Annie Lennard Primary School will also develop their sensitivity and tolerance towards others through:
· RE and collective worship.
· Circle Time
· SEAL
· Philosophy for Children
· British Values
A range of teaching methods which involve children’s full participation are used to teach sex and relationship education. These include:
· Use of video
· Discussion
· Looking at case studies
· Drama
· Role play.
Sex and relationship education is usually delivered in mixed gender groups however, there may be occasions where single gender groups are more appropriate and relevant.
SRE and Science Curriculum
SRE will be taught along the current Science curriculum. Parents do not have the right to withdraw their child/children from these lessons.
National Curriculum ScienceKey Stage 1 / Key Stage 2
1. identify, name, draw and label the basic parts of the
human body and say which part of the body is associated with each sense
2. notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults
3. find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air)
4. describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene. / 1. identify that animals, including humans, need the right
types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat
2. identify that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement.
3. describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans
4. identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions
5. construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey
6. describe the changes as humans develop to old age.
7. identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood
8. recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function
9. describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans.
Confidentiality and Child Protection
SRE will take place in a secure and supportive environment however the children will be made aware that teachers cannot offer unconditional confidentiality. All staff involved in delivering and supporting SRE should be alert to the signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation. The school has a separate Child Protection Policy. Effective SRE may bring about disclosures of child protection issues and staff should be aware of the procedures for reporting their concerns.
Use of visitors
“Visitors should complement but never substitute or replace planned provision. It is the PSHE co-ordinator’s and teacher’s responsibility to plan the curriculum and lessons.” Sex and Relationship Guidance DfEE 0116/2000 P 29 6.11
When appropriate, visitors such as the school nurse may be involved in the delivery of sex and relationship education, particularly in Key Stage 2.
Dealing with difficult questions
Teachers will endeavour to answer questions as honestly as possible but if faced with a question they do not feel comfortable answering within the classroom, provision would be made to meet the individual child’s needs. This may involve consulting with the PSHE co- ordinator or Head teacher.
Children with special needs
Teaching and resources will be differentiated as appropriate to address the needs of these children in order for them to have full access to the content of sex and relationship education.
Rights of withdrawal
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Sex and Relationship Education provided at school except for those parts included in the statutory National Curriculum. Prior to SRE being taught in years 5 and 6, parents will receive a consent form to complete and return. All materials used will be made available to parents before they are used in classes. The school nurse will play a key role in the provision of SRE which will be carried out according to the guidelines for Sandwell primary schools.
Links with other policies
This policy is linked with the following policies:
· PSHE & Citizenship
· RE
· Science
· Equal Opportunities
· Child Protection
· Confidentiality
· Behaviour
· Anti Bullying
Policy for Review
In line with national requirements, Annie Lennard SRE policy will be reviewed every three years in consultation with school staff, governors . Information from staff, survey results and quantative data will all feed in to the review of the SRE policy to ensure effectiveness and relevance.
This policy will be reviewed by: January 2020
Curriculum
Foundation / Key Stage 1 / Key Stage 2Children learn about the concept of
male and female and about young animals.
In ongoing PSHE work, they develop skills to form friendships and think about relationships with others. / In science the children learn
life cycles of some animals understand the idea of growing from young to old
All living things reproduce. Importance of personal hygiene to maintain good health.
Naming body parts
In RE and Citizenship children reflect on family relationships, different family groups and friendship. They learn about rituals and traditions associated with birth, marriage and death and talk about the emotions involved.
They begin to co-operate with others in work and play and begin to recognise the range of human emotions and ways to deal with them.
They also learn about personal safety. / In science children build on their
knowledge of the human body and learn about changes in the body as you get older
Children are taught about the physical, emotional and social changes at puberty, which include personal hygiene.
In RE and Citizenship, they continue to develop an understanding of relationships within a family, between friends and the community and that there are different patterns of friendship.
They will develop skills needed to form relationships and to respect other people’s emotions and feelings.
They will consider how to make simple choices and exercise some basic techniques for resisting pressures.
Sex and relationship education should focus on the development of skills and attitudes not just the acquisition of knowledge.
All Key Stages - SEAL
New beginnings / Say no to
bullying / Good to be me / Relationships / Getting on and
falling out / Going for goals! / Changes