Whole School 'Relationship and Sex Education'

Curriculum Content
Parent Letter
Parent Consultation

Summary

Relationship and sex education programme is delivered through the 'Relationships' and 'Changing Me’ topic which are covered in the summer term.

There are four main aims of teaching Relationship and Sex Education:

Each year group will be taught appropriate to their age and developmental stage. At no point will a child be taught something that is inappropriate; and if a question from a child arises and the teacher feels it would be inappropriate to answer, (for example, because of its mature or explicit nature), this information with be shared with you by your child’s class teacher. The question will not be answered to the child or class if it is outside the remit of that year group’s programme.


Below is a summary of Relationship and Sex Education coverage for each year group:

EYFS Growing up: how we have changed since we were babies
Year 1 Boys’ and girls’ bodies; naming body parts
Children are introduced to life cycles e.g. that of a frog and identify the different stages. They compare this with a human life cycle and look at simple changes from baby to adult e.g. getting taller, learning to walk etc. They discuss how they have changed so far and that people grow up at different rates. As part of a school’s safeguarding duty, pupils are taught the correct words for private parts of the body (those kept private by underwear: vagina, anus, penis, testicles). They are also taught that nobody has the right to hurt these parts of the body. Change is discussed as a natural and normal part of getting older which can bring about happy and sad feelings. Children practise a range of skills to help manage their feelings and learn how to access help if they are worried about change, or if someone is hurting them.
Year 2 Boys’ and girls’ bodies; body parts and respecting privacy (which parts of the body are private and why this is)
In this children look at different life cycles in nature including that of humans. They reflect on the changes that occur (not including puberty) between baby, toddler, child, teenager, adult and old-age. Within this, children also discuss how independence, freedoms and responsibility can increase with age. As part of a school’s safeguarding duty, pupils are re-taught the correct words for private parts of the body (those kept private by underwear: vagina, anus, penis, testicle). They are also reminded that nobody has the right to hurt these parts of the body, including a lesson on inappropriate touch and assertiveness. Children practise a range of strategies for managing feelings and emotions. They are also taught where they can get help if worried or frightened. Change is taught as a natural and normal part of growing up and the range of emotions that can occur with change are explored and discussed.
Year 3 How babies grow and how boys’ and girls’ bodies change as they grow older
This begins with an exploration about babies and what they need to grow and develop including parenting. Children learn that it is usually the female that carries the baby in nature. This leads onto lessons where puberty is introduced. Children first look at the outside body changes in males and females. They learn that puberty is a natural part of growing up and that it is a process for getting their bodies ready to make a baby when grownup. Inside body changes are also taught. Children learn that females have eggs (ova) in their ovaries and these are released monthly. If unfertilised by a male’s sperm it passes out of the body as a period. Sexual intercourse and the birth of the baby is not taught in this year group. Children discuss how they feel about puberty and growing up and there are opportunities for them to seek reassurance if anything is worrying them.
Year 4 Internal and external reproductive body parts, body changes in girls and menstruation
Body changes at puberty are revisited with some additional vocabulary, particularly around menstruation. Sanitary health is taught, including introducing pupils to different sanitary and personal hygiene products. Conception and sexual intercourse are introduced in simple terms so the children understand that a baby is formed by the joining of an ovum and sperm. They also learn that the ovum and sperm carry genetic information that carry personal characteristics. The unit ends by looking at the feelings associated with change and how to manage these. Children are introduced to the circle of change model as a strategy for managing future changes.
Year 5 Puberty for boys and girls, and conception
The children revisit self-esteem and self/body-image. They learn that we all have perceptions about ourselves and others, and these may be right or wrong. They also reflect on how social media and the media can promote unhelpful comparison and how to manage this. Puberty is revisited with further detail explaining bodily changes in males and females. Sexual intercourse is explained in slightly more detail than in the previous year. Children are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification about anything they don’t understand. Further details about pregnancy are introduced including some facts about the development of the foetus and some simple explanation about alternative ways of conception e.g. IVF. Children learn that having a baby is a personal choice. Details of contraceptive options and methods are not taught as this is not age-appropriate. Reasons why people choose to be in a romantic relationship and choose to have a baby are also explored. Children look at what becoming a teenager means for them with an increase in freedom, rights and responsibilities. They also look at the perceptions that surround teenagers and reflect whether they are always accurate e.g. teenagers are always moody; all teenagers have a boyfriend/girlfriend etc.
Year 6 Puberty for boys and girls and understanding conception to birth of a baby
The class learn about puberty in boys and girls and the changes that will happen – they reflect on how they feel about these changes. The children also learn about childbirth and the stages of development of a baby, starting at conception. They talk about being physically attracted to someone and the effect this can have upon the relationship. They discuss relationships and the importance of mutual respect and not pressuring / being pressured into doing something that they don’t want to. The children also learn about self-esteem, why it is important and ways to develop it. Finally, they look at the transition to secondary school and what they are looking forward to / are worried about and how they can prepare themselves mentally.