SRE at Elkesley Primary and Nursery

Nowadays there is a vast amount of, sometimes confusing, information about relationships and sex on the internet, on TV, in magazines, etc. which young people may have access to, and this can sometimes make an already confusing time seem even more complicated!   Therefore, as part of our Personal, Social and Health Education programme, we teach lessons on relationships, sexual health and puberty. 

The purpose of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is to provide knowledge and understanding of how the human body changes during puberty and the processes of human reproduction, within the context of relationships based on love and respect. It should develop understanding and attitudes which will help pupils to form relationships in a responsible and healthy manner and to appreciate the value of stable family life, including the responsibilities of parenthood and marriage. 

If young people can start their transition into adulthood with good information and the confidence and knowledge to understand what is happening to them, they will hopefully grow into confident and healthy adults able to make positive choices. This can start with learning the basics about growing up and the sessions in school may reinforce what you are already doing at home.

Consultation

Schools are required to consult with parents when developing and reviewing their policies for Relationships Education and RSE, which informs a schools’ decisions on when and how certain content is covered. We completed the consultation with all parents and carers when changes were made. If you wish to view the consultation and/or add your own views, please read the school information, DfE guidance and school Policy then visit the following page:

Right to Withdraw 

You cannot withdraw your child from Relationships Education because it is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and how to stay safe; it is a part of the National Curriculum. However, we have continued with our choice to teach Sex Education within Key Stage 2 and, should you wish to, you can ask that your child is withdrawn from these sessions. This request will be granted, however, the science curriculum in all maintained schools also includes content on human development, including reproduction, and there is no right for children to be withdrawn from those lessons.

We believe it is always helpful if parents are aware of the scheme being followed, and we encourage you to discuss the issues fully with your children at home. If you wish to see the materials being used prior to the lessons or wish for your child to be withdrawn from sex education, please inform me; you are welcome to contact school to discuss the program further.

Intent, Implementation and Impact 

Intent:

We believe that Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is lifelong learning about relationships, emotions, looking after ourselves, different families, sex, sexuality and sexual health and we aim to:

• Seek to equip our children with key concepts, skills and knowledge that will prepare them for the next stage in their learning and provide them with the necessary foundations to be successful in adult life.
• Build an RSE curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills so that all pupils know more, remember more.
• Deliver all the requirements of the national curriculum in relation to RSE.
• Develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide pupils’ decisions, judgements and behaviour as they move into adolescence and adulthood.
• Enable children to Understand the consequences of their actions and behave responsibly within all relationships.
• Develop children’s confidence and self-esteem so that they value themselves and others.
• Equip children with the skills to avoid being pressurised into behaviours or situations they do not feel comfortable with.

Implmentation:

As part of the planning process, teachers plan the following:

• We implement our approach through high quality teaching delivering appropriately challenging work for all individuals.
• Every class from EYFS to Y6 follows the KAPOW scheme of learning which is based on the National Curriculum. Lessons are personalised to address the individual needs and requirements for a class but coverage is maintained.
• Children from EYFS through to Year 6 are taught key vocabulary.
• RSE is taught as explicit lessons through the PSHE and science curriculums but is also embedded in other areas of the curriculum and day-to-day life of the school.
• In PSHE, RSE is specifically covered in the units ‘Safety and the changing body’ and in science ‘Animals Including Humans’ and ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’ also cover the statutory requirements.
• Children are taught by familiar adults who they have a good rapport with, in order to facilitate constructive and supportive discussions around sensitive topics in a safe and secure environment.
• taff have received in-house CPD to support them in responding to the needs of the individual child and support children with any questions or concerns they may have. If staff feel uncomfortable or unsure when delivering the RSE curriculum or dealing with individual pupil needs, they know where to seek advice and support.
• Our high expectations of behaviour, interpersonal relationships, respect and tolerance of others reflect the British Values enable open and honest discussions in a safe environment.

Impact:

• Children will make at least good progress in RSE from their last point of statutory assessment and from their starting point in Reception.
• Children will use their RSE knowledge and skills  to enable them to know more, remember more and understand more.
• Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to future real life.
• All children will use and apply these skills.
• Children are provided with the support that is necessary for them to have a good understanding of the complexities of relationships and sexual matters and a secure knowledge and skills base to navigate their way through these, now and in the future.
• Children’s enhanced educational knowledge will help them to become confident individuals who have positive body awareness, an in-depth knowledge of how to keep themselves safe and healthy and who will, through respect, tolerance and understanding, forge and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of family and friendship groups.