Relationship and Sex Education Policy

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

As a primary academy, we must provide relationships education to all pupils under section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

We follow the National Curriculum. This would include the elements of sex education contained in the science curriculum.

In teaching RSE, we’re required by our funding agreements to have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state, as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996.

We also have regard to legal duties set out in:

• Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996
• Part 6, chapter 1 of the Equality Act 2010
• The Public Sector Equality Duty (as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). This duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities

Introduction and Purpose

Relationships education is a key part of helping children and young people to stay safe and be well-prepared for life in modern Britain. This policy outlines the legal framework around relationship education for primary school pupils, how the curriculum is planned and quality checked and confirmation that from 2020 pupils cannot be withdrawn from these lessons by their parents. Parents should be aware that our academies have to uphold the legal duties set out in the Equality Act 2010 and not discriminate against anyone with protected characteristics.

Scope

This policy applies to all Waycroft Multi Academy Trust Academies.

Legislation and Regulation

The legal framework and guidance comes into effect from September 2019 and is an amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill of 2017. Section 34 states:

Relationships education to be provided to pupils of compulsory school age receiving primary education at schools in England;

The regulations must include:

Academies to make statements of policy in relation to the education to be provided, and to make the statements available to parents or other persons;

When relationships education or relationships and sex education is given, the pupils learn about:

• Safety in forming and maintaining relationships,
• The characteristics of healthy relationships, and
• How relationships may affect physical and mental health and well-being.

The education is appropriate having regard to the age and the religious background of the pupils.

Policy Statement

Relationships and Sex Education at Waycroft Multi Academy Trust is seen as a part of our Personal, Social and Health Education Policy.  Sex Education is more than just biological facts and hygiene.  It has moral, legal, cultural and ethnic dimensions.  It does involve knowledge of how the human body functions, but it also involves feelings about love, sexuality and responsibility towards oneself and towards others.

By the end of KS2, children will probably have experienced many media images of “sex”.  Home and school need to work TOGETHER to put these images in perspective and clarify what is myth and what is fact.

The academy aims to:

• To reassure the children that body changes: physical and emotional, are normal and acceptable.
• To inform the children what happens when sexual intercourse takes place.
• To explain to the children that sexual intercourse can lead to pregnancy.
• To debate how the media use sex to advertise and sell objects.
• To enable children to make informed choices about their own sexual behaviours.
• To help children recognise and avoid exploitation and abuse.
• To provide individuals and small groups with the opportunity to discuss worries and questions.
• Support pupils through their physical, emotional and moral development
• Develop skills and understanding to enable pupils to make healthy responsible choices
• Help pupils move more confidently and responsibly into adolescence
• Help pupils to learn about the full range of different relationships in modern Britain
• Help pupils to keep themselves safe from inappropriate behaviour.
• To explain to the children about sexually transmitted diseases and the different available forms of contraception if children ask about these.

Coordination and Implementation

Children will discuss issues and be taught about aspects of the sex education programme throughout their time in the school.  This will be part of the planned curriculum, specifically science and Citizenship.  The children will receive the most detailed and intense lessons in Yr6 although children entering puberty before then will be given the opportunity to talk to staff about this if necessary.

The proposed content of a programme of relationship education from Reception to Year 6 is based on the Jigsaw Program and modules are made available to families.

The role of parents

We wish to build a positive and supporting relationship with the parents of children at the academy through mutual understanding, trust and cooperation.

In promoting this objective, we:

• Consult with parents about the academy’s relationship and sex education policy and practice
• Answer any questions that parents may have about the relationship education of their child
• Inform parents about the best practice known regarding relationship education.

We believe that, through this mutual exchange of knowledge and information, children will benefit from being given consistent messages about their changing bodies and their increasing responsibilities.

Parents should be aware that from September 2020, parents will no longer have the right to withdraw their child from any part of our relationships education programmes at primary or secondary level.

Training

Headteachers are responsible for organising the training of staff and assuring the quality of this training.

Staff will receive training that equips them with the knowledge and understanding to deliver our MAT policy and programme of relation education lessons with sensitivity.

Responsibilities

The following responsibilities apply in relation to this policy:

• The Board of Trustees is responsible for evaluating the impact of the policy and for reviewing it annually to ensure compliance with statutory regulations.
• The Executive Headteacher is responsible for monitoring the implementation and impact of the policy.
• Headteachers are responsible for implementing the policy and assuring high quality in the teaching of relationships education.

Monitoring and Compliance

This policy will be reviewed every year.

Parents consulted January 2022