Relationships and Sex Education Policy (from 2020)
Click here to download the Sex and Relationships Policy
1. Aims
The aims of relationships and sex education (RSE) at our school are to:
Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies
2. Statutory requirements
As a maintained primary school we must provide relationships education to all pupils as per section 34 of the Children and Social work act 2017.
However, we are not required to provide sex education but we do need to teach the elements of sex education contained in the science curriculum.
In teaching RSE, we must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996.
At Storth CE Primary School we teach RSE as set out in this policy.
3. Policy development
This policy has been developed in consultation with staff, pupils and parents. The consultation and policy development process involved the following steps:
1. Review – a member of staff or working group pulled together all relevant information including relevant national and local guidance
2. Staff consultation – all school staff were given the opportunity to look at the policy and make recommendations
3. Parent/stakeholder consultation – parents and any interested parties were invited to attend a meeting about the policy
4. Pupil consultation – we investigated what exactly pupils want from their RSE
5. Ratification – once amendments were made, the policy was shared with governors and ratified
4. Definition
RSE is about the emotional, social and cultural development of pupils, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity.
RSE involves a combination of sharing information, and exploring issues and values.
RSE is not about the promotion of sexual activity.
5. Curriculum
Our curriculum is set out as per Appendix 1 but we may need to adapt it as and when necessary.
We have developed the curriculum in consultation with parents, pupils and staff, taking into account the age, needs and feelings of pupils. If pupils ask questions outside the scope of this policy, teachers will respond in an appropriate manner so they are fully informed and don’t seek answers online.
Primary sex education will focus on:
Preparing boys and girls for the changes that adolescence brings
How a baby is conceived and born
For more information about our curriculum, see our curriculum map in Appendix 1.
6. Delivery of RSE
RSE is taught within the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum. Biological aspects of RSE are taught within the science curriculum, and other aspects are included in religious education (RE).
Pupils also receive stand-alone sex education sessions delivered by a trained health professional.
Relationships education focuses on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships including:
Families and people who care for me
Caring friendships
Respectful relationships
Online relationships
Being safe
For more information about our RSE curriculum, see Appendices 1 and 2.
These areas of learning are taught within the context of family life taking care to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of children based on their home circumstances (families can include single parent families, LGBT parents, families headed by grandparents, adoptive parents, foster parents/carers amongst other structures) along with reflecting sensitively that some children may have a different structure of support around them (for example: looked after children or young carers).
7. Roles and responsibilities
7.1 The governing board
The governing board will hold the headteacher to account for the implementation of this policy.
The governing board has delegated the approval of this policy to the headteacher.
7.2 The headteacher
The headteacher is responsible for ensuring that RSE is taught consistently across the school, and for managing requests to withdraw pupils from non-science components of RSE (see section 8).
7.3 Staff
Staff are responsible for:
Delivering RSE in a sensitive way
Modelling positive attitudes to RSE
Monitoring progress
Responding to the needs of individual pupils
Responding appropriately to pupils whose parents wish them to be withdrawn from the non-science components of RSE
Staff do not have the right to opt out of teaching RSE. Staff who have concerns about teaching RSE are encouraged to discuss this with the headteacher.
7.4 Pupils
Pupils are expected to engage fully in RSE and, when discussing issues related to RSE, treat others with respect and sensitivity.
8. Parents’ right to withdraw
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from relationships education.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-science components of sex education within RSE.
Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing using the form found in Appendix 3 of this policy and addressed to the headteacher.
Alternative work will be given to pupils who are withdrawn from sex education.
9. Training
Staff are trained on the delivery of RSE as part of their induction and it is included in our continuing professional development calendar.
The headteacher will also invite visitors from outside the school, such as school nurses or sexual health professionals, to provide support and training to staff teaching RSE.
10. Monitoring arrangements
The delivery of RSE is monitored by Sonya Robinson – SENDCO through:
planning scrutinies, learning walks, etc.
Pupils’ development in RSE is monitored by class teachers as part of our internal assessment systems.
This policy will be reviewed by Simon Brabant – Headteacher annually. At every review, the policy will be approved by the headteacher.