Sex and Relationships Education Policy
Updated: February 2009 by Catherine Gemmell.
Staff Responsible: Catherine Gemmell, Sue Hargadon.
Introduction
Sex and relationships Education (SRE) is taught in many subject areas, in particular:
Ø Personal Social and Health Education
Ø Life Skills
Ø Science, where the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum include anatomy, puberty and the biological aspects of reproduction.
Documents used to write the policy
Ø Every Child Matters
Ø The revised National Curriculum 2000
Ø The SRE guidance (2000) published by the DfEE and supported in legislation by the Learning and Skills Act (2000)
Ø The Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan
Ø The National Healthy Schools Strategy
Ø The 1996 Education Act
Aims
Ø To provide lifelong learning about sex, sexuality, emotions, relationships and sexual health.
Ø To ensure that students acquire information, develop skills and from positive beliefs, values and attitudes about sex and relationships.
Ø To enable students to make informed choices about essential issues to do with sex and relationships.
Ø An inherent part of SRE is to build self-esteem and equip students with the ability to be assertive and to respect the rights and responsibilities of all.
Ø To meet with legal requirements.
Statutory Requirements
The SRE Guidance 2003 is supported in legislation by the Learning and Skills Act (2000) which requires that young people:
o Learn about the nature of marriage and its importance for family life and the bringing up of children.
o Are protected from teaching and materials which are inappropriate having regard to age and the religious and cultural background of the students concerned.
The 1996 Education Act consolidated all relevant legislation. In summary:
o The SRE elements in the National Curriculum Science Order across all Key Stages are mandatory for all pupils of primary and secondary age.
o Content must be clearly described in the school policy which should be available to parents for inspection.
o The governors are responsible for making sure the policy is developed.
o Secondary schools must provide an SRE programme which includes as a minimum information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.
Non-Statutory Guidance
In addition to the above requirements SRE should prepare young people for adult life in which they can:
o Develop positive attitudes and a moral framework that will guide their judgement behaviour and decisions.
o Be aware of their sexuality and understand human sexuality.
o Understand the arguments for delaying sexual activity, the reasons for protected sex, the consequences of their actions and to behave responsibly in a relationship.
o Have sufficient information to protect themselves, or their partner from unwanted conception, or STIs and know how to access sexual health advice, support and if necessary treatment.
o Have the confidence and self-esteem to value themselves and others, avoid being exploited or exploit others and communicate effectively.
o Know how the law applies to sexual relationships.
Where is SRE taught?
SRE is taught across the curriculum as part of a planned program.
Year Taught / Subject area and Content7 / Science: Reproduction Topic which cover menstruation, puberty, fertilisation, pregnancy and birth.
8 / PSHE: SRE half-day covering relationships contraception and revising science.
9 / PSHE: Parenting and relationship issues
HIV/AIDs
RE: Abortion and relationships discussed
10 / Life Skills: SRE topic covering contraception, STIs, marriage, sexuality, pornography and exploitation. Testicular cancer.
Personal Safety Day: Visits from Sexual Health Nurses to discuss STIs and contraception with all students in small groups.
Science: Hormones involved in puberty and the pill and how it works.
11 / Covered in life skills as a revision to the work covered.
Students can access information and gain help through the Assist advice centre based in the school one day a week and run by a Health Visitor
Planned assemblies on Young Parents.
Teaching
o Staff should create a safe environment and use ground rules with their class. Students must be aware of the boundaries and that issues that are personal must be off limits.
o Staff must keep up to date with their knowledge and staff will meet before the unit of work to reinforce guidelines, latest legislation and relevant information.
o Training is necessary and will be delivered through CPD sessions and observation of other teachers.
o A range of teaching styles will be used.
Child Protection
Staff are reminded that they cannot offer confidentiality to students. Any concerns must be passed to Helen Hazon the child protection officer. Please see the child protection policy.
Teenage Pregnancy Targets
It is hope that effective SRE teaching will help to lower the Teenage pregnancy statistics and help them to meet their target of a 50% reduction by 2010
Staffing
In year 10 and 11 the Life Skills is taught by a specialised team and INSET will be given.
In Year 8 students are taught by their form tutor but where the teacher lacks confidence a replacement teacher will be used.
All visitors are expected to follow the school guidelines and a member of staff will be present.
Parents
Parents are informed, in the parent pack when SRE is to be taught. They have their right to remove their child from the SRE lessons and the material will be available for them to view prior to teaching. They are invited to read the SRE policy which is available on our website. All Year 9 students are contacted and made fully aware of the Assist Clinic.
Students Views
Students are asked to contribute their views as via a questionnaire and also focus groups which are held prior to teaching the work and after the lessons so that staff are able to meet students’ needs.
The World Health Organisation defines sexual health as:“the integration of the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspect s of sexual being in ways that are positively enriching, and that enhance, personality, communication and love………every person has a right to receive sexual information and to consider sexual relationships for pleasure as well as for procreation.” (WHO)