All primary schools now have a legal

responsibility to provide

Relationship and Health Education

from September 2020.

All pupils will receive lessons designed

to equip your child with knowledge

to make informed decisions

about their wellbeing,

health and relationships.

This includes information

to help your child stay safe online,

in an ever changing world.

In addition schools have the option to teach

age appropriate Sex Education,

which is recommended although

not mandatory at primary level.

We recognise that some parents

may be uncomfortable

with the thought of their children

receiving sex education in primary school.

However, as a school we believe

it is completely natural for children

to have questions about reproduction,

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 safe adults at home and school

than it being left

to their peers or the internet.

Please see below for the details

regarding the teaching content

or each year group.

This content is delivered

in the second half

of the Summer Term.

In Year 1 we will be delivering

a lesson called: Mummy’s Bump.

This is the only

‘Sex education lesson’

in the KS1 programme.

Whilst it is not a core requirement

of the statutory guidance

for Relationship Education,

we believe it is an essential lesson.

This lesson is designed in a specific way

which means that it is pupil-led

ensuring the content

is tailored to the class.

The lesson is focused

on pregnancy and covers:

where babies live before they are born;

how they feed, and grow;

a brief explanation of how babies are born;

and most importantly

a discussion about being

an older brother or sister,

and what it is like having

a new baby in the family. 

We believe by answering

children’s questions -

which are perfectly natural at this age,

especially considering that they

will likely be exposed to

pregnant parent’s having siblings,

or aunts, and family friends at their age,

we can feed their natural

curiosity in safe way.

As a result, rather than the topic

becoming a taboo,

something that is shameful,

instead, we can ensure

children continue to

come to us for answers

that we can answer

age appropriately rather than building

barriers to addressing the topic

which will later have to be overcome.

In Year 3 we will be delivering a lesson

called “Where do I come from”.

This lesson help to support

the requirements

for maintained schools

to teach about the main

external body parts

and changes to the human body

as it grows from birth to old age

as part of the

National Curriculum for science.

It is designed in a specific way

which means that it is pupil-led

ensuring the content

is tailored to the class.

This lesson allows children the opportunity

to think about their own families,

and how they themselves were born.

We will discuss the basics

of reproduction, pregnancy,

how babies develop and grow

in the womb,

and how they are born.

Often this lesson will also answer

children’s questions about caesarian births,

IVF and adoption.

Children will not be shown

any pictures or videos

(cartoon or otherwise)

of people having sex.

This lesson comes at a natural time

of curiosity when many children have

questions as to where they came from.

We believe it is better for children to have

these questions answered by safe adults,

rather than exchanging rumours

on the playground.

In Year 6 we will be delivering

a lesson titled

“Puberty and what I have learned

about sex.”

As a matter of course we deliver

our primary sessions about puberty

in years 4 and 5.

However, this lesson is an opportunity

for children to ask any questions

they may still have,

now they are a little bit older

and more likely to be experiencing

many of the physical

and emotional changes

and challenges puberty brings.

Equally, it is an idea opportunity

for children to ask questions

and have discussions about sex,

before they go off to high school.

In this session we will review

what they know about puberty,

including both the physical

and emotional changes

for both boys and girls;

discuss where we learn

about sex and relationships from,

(which are safe and reliable,

and which are not),

that people can have different values

and beliefs when it comes to sex,

and encourage children

to talk to safe adults

if they have questions.

Children will not be shown

any pictures or videos

(cartoon or otherwise)

of people having sex.

Further Information

Should a parent decide that they do not

wish their child to take part in this lesson

we would ask that they first speak

to their classroom teacher

to discuss their concerns.

Our teachers will happily show parents

all the teaching material

and context of any of our lessons

and explain the reasons

why any material is included

in the programme.

If parents do decide to withdraw their child,

they should inform the head

who will find other provision

for the child to engage in

during the lesson.

I must also highlight that whilst parents

have the right to withdraw their child

from these lessons,

they do not have the right

to prevent other children from

receiving these lessons or information.

We believe it is better for children

to hear from safe adults

than to hear second hand

from their class-mates at break-time.

We believe that successful teaching

around RSE can only take place

when parents and school work together.

Especially, considering

we both want children to grow up

safe and happy in healthy relationships,

with the ability to manage their emotions

and speak up when they feel unsafe.

Therefore, we are committed

to working together with parents.

 If you have any questions

or would like support

in talking to your child

at home please feel free

to contact the office

to speak to Miss Brown

or your child’s

class teacher.