Relationships and Sex Education Policy

Relationships and Sex Education Policy

This policy is also available as a PDF here

Introduction

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is the right and responsibility of the parent/carer. Kingsway Park High School provides RSE to support parents/carers in fulfilling their responsibility and to contribute to every students health, wellbeing and preparation for adult life.

The students at KPHS come from diverse backgrounds, expressing a variety of beliefs and values. Together with our staff and parents, we have consulted and developed a familiarity with the beliefs and attitudes of our range of families towards issues such as:

• relationships and sex education
• abortion
• contraception
• LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans +)
• sex outside marriage
• mental health

The information below complies with our statutory obligations to deliver RSE under sections 34 & 35 of the Children and Social work Act 2017. It will have due regard for the DfE’s statutory Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education Guidance and other relevant guidance.

We will review the policy on a regular basis to ensure that it is in line with current Government guidance and legislation and to ensure that our RSE program continues to meet the needs of our pupils.

The policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies:

• Behaviour Policy
• Anti-bullying Policy
• Child protection and Safeguarding Policy
• Online Safety Policy
• Mental Health Policy

Section 1 - The aims of Relationships and Sex Education

The aim of this policy is to communicate to staff, governors, parents/carers, visitors and students the manner in which RSE will be delivered and supported at KPHS.

The aims are:

• To enable our students to better understand the nature of relationships
• To enable students to see the importance of marriage and stable loving relationships for the bringing up of children
• To prepare students for the changes that occur to their bodies, minds and emotions during adolescence
• To know about the risks of being online and how to stay safe
• To support all young people to stay safe and prepare for life in modern Britain.

Further information as to how we keep our students safe can be found in our Safeguarding Policy on the school’s website: https://kingswaypark.org/about/policies/safeguarding-and-child-protection-policy/

Section 2- What is effective Relationships and Sex Education?

Effective RSE involves lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of the importance of a stable and loving relationships. It is also about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health, and included the preparation of students for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. It is not about the promotion of sexual orientation or sexual activity – this would be inappropriate teaching. Our curriculum is designed to support children growing up in an increasingly complex and digital world. Whilst the internet is an overwhelmingly positive development in our lives, it does present significant challenges, particularly for young people. We are mindful of the dominance of social media, the prevalence of cyber-bullying and the risk that children learn about relationships from untrustworthy sources – we aim to support children to make the right decisions and keep themselves safe and happy

2.1 Attitudes and values

Students are helped to examine the value of family life, marriage, and stable and loving relationships for the nurture of children. They are also encouraged to explore and consider moral dilemmas. RSE can also help students to develop a good self-image, high self-esteem, personal responsibility and the ability to make informed decisions.

2.2 Personal and social skills

RSE encourages students to manage emotions and relationships confidently and sensitively whilst developing self-respect and empathy for others. Students are taught to make choices based on an understanding of difference, with an absence of prejudice and learn how to recognise and avoid exploitation and abuse. It also provides opportunities to develop communication skills and assertiveness within a range of different situations.

2.3 Knowledge and understanding

RSE focuses on understanding physical development at appropriate stages. The students will explore human sexuality, reproduction, sexual health, emotions and relationships. Students will also be provided with information on contraception and the range of local and national sexual health advice support services. Students will look at the reasons for delaying sexual activity, the benefits to be gained from such delay and the avoidance of unplanned pregnancy.

This will provide an objective and balanced view of sexual matters, correcting any misconceptions and misinformation students may have gained.

Section 3- Delivery of RSE at KPHS

3.1 How is relationships and sex education organised?

At KPHS RSE is not an isolated subject; it permeates the whole curriculum and the pastoral system. Citizenship, Religious Education, VISION and Science provide a focus for exploring some elements of RSE. The Head of Social Science leads on the overall planning of RSE.

3.2 How are relationships and sex education taught?

The content of the school’s programme is based on the Science National Curriculum, the RE curriculum, Citizenship curriculum and the PHSE curriculum. We recognise the need to create a supportive and secure atmosphere where students can develop the confidence needed to talk, listen and think about sex and relationships. In order to do this, teachers will:

• Establish ground rules with students
• Emphasise the importance of mutual respect
• Encourage reflection
• Make students aware of the relevant persons to approach in the school.

We will be drawing on a range of teaching methods in order to encourage exploration of attitudes, values and beliefs, using active learning methods which involve students and help them to personalise information.

We understand that teaching RSE in a secondary school should build on the learning at primary school. Through our network of feeder primary schools, we will be working together to establish a benchmark for RSE provision to ensure that this learning will be built on developmentally.

3.4 Specialist support

The school recognises that some aspects of RSE must be taught by specialists. From time to time the school will invite professional health experts in to deliver sessions relating to specific RSE issues.

These will be asked to conform to the following:

• Visitors contributing to RSE will do so at the invitation of the school and will be qualified to make an appropriate contribution
• Visitors must agree with the aims of the school in delivering its policy on RSE
• When in class visitors will be supervised by a teacher who will be present at all times
• Visitors will follow KPHS Child Protection Procedures if a disclosure occurs within the classroom setting
• Visitors will know and understand where their contribution fits into the school’s programme for RSE and Social Science.

3.5 Dealing with sensitive issues

All teachers are given training on handling controversial topics, are made clear about confidentiality boundaries and know where/who to refer students to for confidential advice and support.

RSE is part of the school’s provision for Spiritual, Moral Social and Cultural development. The following are protocols for discussion-based lessons with students:

• No one (teacher or student) will have to answer a personal question
• No one will be forced to take part in a discussion
• Meanings of words will be explained in a sensible and factual way
• Teachers may use their discretion in responding to questions and may say that the appropriate person to answer that question is the parent/carer
• It is expected that teachers’ personal beliefs and attitudes will not influence their teaching of RSE.
• If at any point a disclosure is made by a student, it is the responsibility of the member of staff to follow the schools’ safeguarding policy and notify the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Further information as to how we keep our students safe can be found in our Safeguarding Policy on the school’s website: https://kingswaypark.org/about/policies/safeguarding-and-child-protection-policy/

Section 4- Parental right to withdrawal from RSE

RSE is part of all students’ education and it is hoped that all will participate. Some parts of RSE are compulsory – these are part of the National Curriculum for Science. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the (non-statutory/non-science) components of sex education within RSE up to and until 3 terms before the child turns 16. After this point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than being withdrawn, the school will arrange this. It must be noted that parents cannot withdraw their children from all other aspects of the RSE curriculum.

Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing and addressed to the Headteacher. The Headteacher will discuss the request with parents and take appropriate action. When the Headteacher receives such a letter they will invite the parents/carers to a meeting, at which the Headteacher will explain clearly what the school’s policy is and seek to accommodate the wishes and/or concerns of the parents/carers. If that is not possible the pupil will be withdrawn from RSE and placed in another class where suitable work and supervision will be provided.

Section 5- Procedure for Monitoring and evaluating RSE

The policy and its implementation will be reviewed every 12 months. RSE will be monitored by the whole school RSE lead, Charlotte Chambers, whose responsibility it is to:

• Ensure that RSE is covered in the schemes of work in Social Science
• Monitor the use of teaching and learning styles
• Monitor the use of teaching materials
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s programme
• Ensure the content is age appropriate