Relationships Education
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Aims
The aims of relationships and sex education (RSE) at our Academy, in line with our ethos and values, are to:
- Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place;
- Prepare children for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene;
- Help children develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy;
- Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
- ;Teach children the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies....
Curriculum
Our curriculum is set out below in our Curriculum Map, but we may need to adapt it as and when necessary.
We have developed the curriculum in consultation with parents, children and staff, taking into account the age, needs and feelings of children. If children ask questions outside the scope of this policy, teachers will respond in an appropriate manner so they are fully informed and do not seek answers online.
Our planning follows parts of the ‘Me and My Relationships’ and ‘Becoming an Active Citizen’ themes of the North Yorkshire guidance. Our planning focuses on key life skills such as resilience and managing wellbeing. Our curriculum is also supplemented with a variety of online and book resources. It specifically incorporates the fundamental British Values of individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Staff use their specific knowledge of individual children to tailor the RSE curriculum accordingly.
Delivery of RSE
The RSE curriculum will be delivered through Science, PSHCE and Online Safety lessons as well as through specific stand-alone lessons. It will be delivered on the whole by class teachers but in Y5/6 some may be delivered by the Headteacher or School Nurse. A range of teaching strategies will be used as appropriate. These may include: Circle time; role-play; conscience alley; discussion – whole class (some written work or artwork); case studies; 1:1, visitors, stories e.g. exploring behaviour of characters; creative activities; and pupil initiated activities. There will also be opportunities during Collective Worship e.g. stories and discussion to further promote RSE objectives beyond the taught curriculum. Effective provision is ensured for all learners, meeting the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 (including SEND, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation and gender).
Diversity
The staff at Carlton Miniott believe children and young people from all faiths and cultures have an entitlement to relationships and sex education (RSE). Therefore in the teaching of RSE we will be sensitive to the range of different values and beliefs within a multi-faith and multi-cultural society. We will work in partnership with parents/carers and the wider community, to ensure effective communication to reduce misunderstandings and allow for the development of a strong RSE curriculum.
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB)
At Carlton Miniott we know all families are different and so we will teach the children about both the conventional family structure and about families more broadly. For older pupils when discussing sexual relationships and partners references and resources are used that relate to LGB people.
Primary Sex Education
In Y5 and Y6 children also receive stand-alone sex education sessions delivered by school staff.
Primary sex education will focus on:
Preparing boys and girls for the changes that adolescence brings (Puberty)
How a baby is conceived and born
Enjoying growing up
We will be using the Busy Body videos which can be found on the curriculum page of our website.
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
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).
Equality
The Board of Trustees has wider responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010, to ensure that no child(ren) are discriminated against because of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, educational needs, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, pregnancy, maternity or home circumstances (e.g. looked after children).
During these lessons, any children with additional needs will be identified by their teacher and every provision made to help them join in during the Relationship Education/Relationship and Sex Education lessons through high quality teaching that is differentiated and personalised.
If a child is unable to take part in their usual class group for any reason, every endeavour will be made for them to attend a session best matched to their individual needs.
Up to and including year 4, all lessons will be co-educational, however in year 5 and year 6 there will be instances when these will be separated by gender (please note that lesson content is the same). For any children identifying as transgender, school will liaise with the child’s guardian to determine which group the child would be most comfortable with.
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-statutory/non-science components of sex education within RSE.
Parents will receive a letter before these lessons and will be able to indicate on the returns form that they wish to withdraw their child or can complete the form in appendix 3 and return to school.
Alternative work will be given to children who are withdrawn from sex education.
Busy Body Resources
In Y5 and Y6 we use the Busy Body Resources. Please click here to view the resources.
PSHCE and RSE Year Group Vocabulary document. Click here to download.
