Philosophy and Rationale

This school believes that Sex and Relationship Education is about supporting the physical, emotional and moral development of its pupils, in partnership with parents. It is about understanding the nature and importance of marriage and stable long-term relationship for family life and the bringing up of children. It is to help pupils to recognise the value of respect, love and care within human relationships. It is also about the teaching of sex and sexuality within the context of relationships. It is not about the promotion of sexual orientation or sexual activity.

We believe that Sex and Relationship Education is a lifelong learning process. At Velmead, it is embedded firmly within the Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education curriculum, which helps pupils to learn to respect themselves and others and to move with confidence from childhood

to adolescence. It therefore begins to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life, ensuring at an appropriate time, that they will be ready for the next stage of their development.

This policy addresses the ‘Staying Safe’ and ‘Be Healthy’ outcomes identified in the government’s ‘Every Child Matters’ programme and has been written in line with current DCSF guidelines.

Aims and Objectives

Attitudes and Values

· To learn the importance of values and individual conscience and moral considerations.

· To learn the value of family life, marriage and stable and loving relationships for the nurture of children.

· To learn the value of respect, love and care.

· To explore, consider and understand moral dilemmas.

· To develop critical thinking as part of decision-making.

Personal and Social Skills

· To manage emotions and relationships confidently and sensitively.

· To develop self-respect and empathy for others.

· To make choices based on an understanding of difference and with an absence of prejudice.

· To develop the skills needed in order to make informed decisions.

· To develop an appreciation of the consequences of choices and decisions made.

· To explore personal relationships and instil a sense of moral responsibility.

· To manage conflict.

· To recognise and avoid exploitation and abuse.

· To prepare pupils for puberty

· To develop skills and self esteem to help children enter adolescence

Knowledge and Understanding

· To understand physical development at appropriate stages and to know about puberty before they experience the onset of physical changes.

· To understand human sexuality, reproduction, emotions and relationships.

We aim to help parents understand the nature of sex education at primary level and work in partnership to ensure that the right messages are developed.

Implementation

Sex and Relationship Education will be delivered through the Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programme. The sex education programme will include the relevant areas in the Science National Curriculum (see below). It will be taught through discussion, Video/DVD – All About Us – Sex and Relationship Education for 5-11 year olds – Living and Growing, printed material and appropriate resources and will be carried out by the Class Teacher, where a trusting and understanding climate exists. Pupils will follow the Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programme throughout the school.

During their time at Velmead, there will be two specific points in Y5 and Y6, at which the appropriate knowledge and understanding about sex education will be taught, from the Science and PSHE National Curriculum. Ground rules for discussion will be agreed by each class and these will include using the correct scientific language for body parts. These sessions will be planned and co-ordinated by the Year Leader in consultation with the Science and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education Subject Leaders, but delivered by the Class Teacher. In all years, work on aspects of relationships will be covered.

Year 3 Health & Eating (Science)

Relationships: friendship, bullying and self-esteem. (PSHCE)

Year 4 Life cycles of animals including humans. (Science)

Relationships: growing up.(PSHCE)

Year 5 Personal Hygiene - physical differences, and human reproduction.(PSHCE)

Relationships and responsibilities. (PSHCE)

Year 6 Puberty, human reproduction, conception and birth. (Science)

Relationships: Changing Behaviour & Making the right choice (PSHCE)

The National Curriculum for Science at KS2 states that children should know: -

that the life processes common to humans and other animals include nutrition, growth and reproduction; about the main stages of the human life cycle.

Responsibilities

Parents are the key people in teaching their children about sex and relationships and the responsibilities that this brings. Teachers will work in close partnership with parents in order to deliver the Sex and Relationship Education programme in school. The Year Leader will give parents the opportunity to view any video and printed material used for sex education and to discuss any concerns with the class teacher, prior to any specific sex education focus.

Parents’ right to withdraw their child from all or part of the sex education programme, except that specified in the Science National Curriculum, is part of education law. Where a child is withdrawn in this way, alternative arrangements will be made by the class teacher.

All staff contributing to Sex and Relationship Education will work within the agreed policy. Personal beliefs and attitudes of teachers will not influence the teaching of Sex and Relationship Education.

Where a child asks a particularly explicit question, the teacher will not respond to the whole class, but

will contact the parents to discuss the best way to proceed. Teachers will not offer pupils making disclosures of potential abuse complete confidentiality, in accordance with the Safeguarding /Child Protection Policy.

Monitoring and Review

The Science and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education Subject Leaders will monitor the curriculum planning and the implementation of this policy, reporting to the headteacher and governors on their findings. The Governors will ensure that the policy is implemented and reviewed regularly.

This policy is in keeping with the principles of the Safeguarding / Child Protection and PSHCE and Citizenship policies.

Agreed on behalf of the Governing Body: -

.................................................Chairman .......................................Date

Updated summer 2010 For review on or before end of summer 2012