Relationships and Sex Education
Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is lifelong learning about sex, sexuality, emotions, relationships and sexual health. It involves acquiring information, developing skills for making safe choices and forming positive beliefs, values and attitudes. SRE has a key part to play in the personal, social, moral and spiritual development of young people. Ideally, it begins informally in the home with parents and carers long before any formal education takes place at school. Students will be encouraged to talk openly and their questions will be answered honestly in a way that respects diversity of cultures and family units.
Relationships and Sex Education
Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is lifelong learning about sex, sexuality, emotions, relationships and sexual health. It involves acquiring information, developing skills for making safe choices and forming positive beliefs, values and attitudes. SRE has a key part to play in the personal, social, moral and spiritual development of young people. Ideally, it begins informally in the home with parents and carers long before any formal education takes place at school. Students will be encouraged to talk openly and their questions will be answered honestly in a way that respects diversity of cultures and family units.
Aims of RSE
The following aims compliment those of the Science curriculum. SRE should prepare young people for an adult life in which they can:
- Develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgements and behaviour.
- Be aware of their sexuality and understand human sexuality.
- Understand the arguments for delaying sexual activity.
- Understand the reasons for having protected sex.
- Understand the consequences of their actions and behave responsibly within sexual and pastoral relationships.
- Have the confidence and self-esteem to value themselves and others.
- Have respect for their own individual conscience and that of others.
- Develop the skills to make decisions about what kind of relationships they want.
- Communicate effectively.
- Have sufficient information and skills to protect themselves and their partner (where they have one) from unintended and/or unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
- Avoid being exploited or exploiting others.
- Avoid being pressured into unwanted or unprotected sex.
- Are able to access confidential sexual health advice support and, if necessary, treatment.
- Know what the law says on sexual relationships
Specific Issues
Puberty
Students should be prepared for puberty and menstruation, where possible, before their periods start. This happens in Year 7 lessons.
Conception and contraception
Students are taught at KS3 what conception is and the different types of contraceptives. Students are taught the process of conception and the functions of contraceptives.
Abortion
Students should be aware of the moral and personal dilemmas and legalities involved in abortion, and know how to access relevant agencies, including local agencies.
Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia
All members of the school community should be treated within the context of equal opportunities. Any homophobia, Biphobia or transphobia will be challenged in accordance with the school’s anti-bullying policy within the school’s behaviour policy.
LGBT issues are covered throughout CCPSHE as part of a spiral curriculum and not exclusive to SRE. LGBT history is celebrated throughout February during CCPSHE lessons and as part of a whole school event, in the same way as Black history month and Islamophobia awareness month.
Procedures for student withdrawal from RSE
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from part or all of sex and relationships education provided outside of National Curriculum Science. Parents wishing to withdraw their child should do the following:
- Ask to see a copy of the school’s Sex and Relationships policy, resources and schemes of work.
- Ask the school for an appointment to see the head of CCPSHE concerning withdrawing their child from SRE.
- Following the meeting, if they still wish to withdraw their child, put their request in writing stating which part of the programme they wish their child to be excluded from.