Relationships and Sex Education Overview

Relationships and Sex Education Overview

We firmly believe that Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) delivered via the curriculum, the school environment and the school ethos is an essential part of a child’s development. Not only does it provide information, but it also helps children develop their skills and form positive beliefs, values and attitudes. Effective RSE enables our pupils to have a positive view of relationships, sexuality and sex and embeds a culture of both personal and mutual acceptance and respect.

Although it is important that the RSE programme recognises that there may be different cultural or faith-based views relating to this area of the curriculum, it is essential that what is taught reflects the diverse society in which we live, which includes LGBT, and that all children have access to age-appropriate information free from stereotyping or discrimination[1].

 

[1] This is based on the following government guidance: Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education, statutory guidance (DfE, 2019), as well as linked guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, updated 2020) and Equality Act 2010: advice for schools (DfE, updated 2018).

 

Working with parents

Working with parents

“The role of parents/carers in the development of their children’s understanding of relationships is vital. Parents are the first educators of their children. They have the most significant influence in enabling their children to grow and mature and to form healthy relationships.” Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education, draft statutory guidance (DfE July 2018)

At Ark Pioneer we welcome feedback from parents on any area of our curriculum, including the PSHE and RSE curriculum. Parents are consulted on the topics being covered each year through regular parental updates and Curriculum Information Booklets – questions and comments are welcomed. Where information is more sensitive, we hold live parental webinars to discuss in this more detail. Our Assistant Principal leading on Values & Character development meets one to one to discuss any questions or share overviews on certain topics. In addition we discuss RSE with our LGB, which includes a parent representative. Regular (termly) parent surveys invite parent views on all aspects of our curriculum.

 

Consultation schedule

Information for parents

Relationships

My body, My feelings

Sex and Reproduction

Keeping Safe

Parent Consultation

Year 7
  • What makes a family?
  • Why do people get married or have a civil partnership?
  • What are the different types of love?
  • What can I do about family or friendship break up?
  • Am I normal? What is normal for my age?
  • Media- should we all look the same?
  • How do hormones affect the body? How do they hormones affect boys and girls differently?
  • How do women get pregnant and how does the baby develop?
  • What is the menstrual cycle and how does it affect fertility?
  • What is sexual harassment?
  • Year 7 Curriculum Information booklet shared with parents, including science curriculum & inviting comments/ questions
  • Parent Webinar: Sexual Harassment (presentation and Q & A)
  • Parent Weekly Communication: Body, feelings, sex and reproduction – reminder of timing in which it is taught & questions / comments invited (Assistant Principal key contact)

 

Relationships

My body, My feelings

Sex and Reproduction

Keeping Safe

Parent Consultation

Year 8
  • What makes a relationship happy or unhappy?
  • Do people see relationships differently?
  • How negative relationships can impact how we view ourselves and make us vulnerable to situations.
  • How do I cope with changing relationships with my friends and family?

  • At what age is it legal to have sex? Get married?
  • Teenage pregnancy statistics and impact on education.
  • What is Consent?
  • Sexting and sharing of images
  • Grooming
  • What should you do if you feel pressure to have sex?
  • What are the laws on sexual offences?
  • FGM
  • Year 8 Curriculum Information booklet shared with parents, including science curriculum & inviting comments/ questions
  • Parent Webinar: Sexual Harassment (presentation and Q & A)
  • Parent Weekly Communication: Consent – reminder of timing in which it is taught & questions / comments invited (Assistant Principal key contact)

Relationships

My body, My feelings

Sex and Reproduction

Keeping Safe

Parent Consultation

Year 9
  • Beyond Equality Programme on masculinity
  • Who you want to be outside of peer pressure?

County lines
  • Gender and Sex
  • Gender stereotypes
  • Protected characteristics in law
  • Schools consent programme on sexual harassment and power imbalance in relationships
  • Forms of Abuse
  • Who can I talk to?
  • Forced marriage and Honour based violence
  • Year 9 Curriculum Information booklet shared with parents, including science curriculum & inviting comments/ questions
  • Parent Webinar: Sexual Harassment (presentation and Q & A)
  • Spring Term Parent Forum – Review of RSE through years 7-9 and plans for KS4
  • Parent Weekly Communication: Sex/STI/ Contraception – reminder of timing in which it is taught & questions / comments invited (Assistant Principal key contact)
  • Consulting with parents on ‘Beyond Equality’ sessions focussed on ideas around masculinity and relationships

 

Across years 7-11

  • RSE full policy and curriculum map published on website
  • RSE full policy and curriculum map – discussed at spring term Parent Forum as stated above in section on Y9
  • RSE full policy shared with LGB and discussed with team including parent governor
  • Termly parent survey – questions on overall safety, online safety and open boxes for comments and developments welcome on any aspect pf our six pillars/school provision

 

Policy & further information

Policy link

Please click belowto download a PDF of our full Relationships & Sex Education policy. This can also be found in the policies section of our website.

 

https://arkpioneer.org/page-strips/policies

Feedback, questions & further information

We welcome any feedback or further questions from parents/carers at any time. Please get directly in touch with Mr McCarville, Assistant Principal via j.mccarville@arkpioneer.org or email info@arkpioneer.org