Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy
Introduction:
At Carleton Endowed CE (VA) Primary School we consider Sex and Relationships Education (RSE) to be an integral part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship curriculum, and biological aspects are taught within the science curriculum. We acknowledge that in order for children to embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, pupils need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. We understand that high quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching of these subjects can help prepare pupils to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help.
As a school, we recognise all relationships that are founded in mutual and consensual love as being equal and valid in all respects. We recognise that individuals may identify with genders that differ from that assigned at birth, and we celebrate people’s right to do so. In short, we promote a culture where the breadth of relationships, sexualities and genders are not merely tolerated but are celebrated as being integral to the tapestry of society. We believe that this culture will help allow children to fulfil their potential in all aspects of their personhood: physically, academically, socially, morally and spiritually.
This policy reflects our school’s overarching vision and values for our pupils by striving for all children to achieve their full potential and to have high aspirations for the future – in all aspects of life. It sets out our school’s approach to Relationship and Sex Education, not only in lessons but through the attitude of our staff and students alike, our ethos and approach and commitment to equality both within and outside of the classroom. It is important that we approach this subject with a clear and unified voice, and it is equally important that we provide guidance for the benefit of our staff, parents and carers, and ultimately, our children. This policy reflects the learning outcomes from the Department for Education Relationship and Sex Education and Health Education that became statutory from September 2020, and has been through an engagement process with our staff, governing body, and most importantly with our parents.
We understand that that all young people deserve the right to honest, open and factual information to help better form their own beliefs and values, free from bias, judgement or subjective personal beliefs of those who teach them.
Whilst as a school we are aware we need to be mindful of and respectful to a variety of faith and cultural beliefs, and we will make every attempt to be appropriately sensitive; equally it is essential that young people still have access to the learning they need to stay safe, healthy and understand their rights as individuals. This must include clear, impartial scientific and factual information on matters such as; naming their body parts, puberty, menstruation, masturbation, the variety of family structures, gay marriage, gender identity, gender equality, sexuality, contraception, forced- marriage and FGM. Furthermore, all teaching should reflect the law as it applies to relationships, marriage, adoption and care.
We recognise that some parents may be uncomfortable with the thought of their children receiving sex education in primary school. Equally, we recognise it is completely natural for children to have questions about sex, their bodies and to be curious about where they came from. In the age of information where children in primary school have access to the internet through mobile technology we believe it is better that children receive age appropriate answers from us than it being left to their peers or the internet.
We believe it is the duty of our school to give our young people the learning that will enable them to live safe, fulfilled and healthy lives. This includes ensuring that they have the skills to keep themselves safe from harm and develop positive and healthy relationships, free from exploitation pressure or abuse.
Defining Relationships Education:
The Department for Education defines relationships education as, teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships and relationships with other peers and adults. We believe relationships education is also:
Designed to help children to develop the skills to recognise and manage healthy relationships both online and in the real world. It is designed to build self-esteem and to explore personal identity.
About helping children understand and make sense of the world they are growing up in; to recognise the differences and similarities between their peers and their families; to understand the fact every human being is unique and has the right to be respected. There are many different family structures and all children have the right to feel safe.
Subject Content:
It is up to individual schools to determine whether they need to cover any additional content on sex education to meet the needs of their pupils. We, like many other schools already choose to teach some aspects of sex education and will continue to do so. Our Sex Education lessons, which are supplementary to the statutory learning outcomes set out in the Key Stage 2 Science curriculum, are solely for children in Year 6. We meet the learning objectives as set out in the Relationships Education, Relationship & Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 for primary schools with a whole school approach, following the Jigsaw PSHE scheme. Specifically ‘Relationships’ and ‘Changing Me’ topics.
