Sex Education Policy
Aims of Sex Education
Hexham Middle School believes that sex education is an educational entitlement of all pupils and an integral part of each pupil's emergence into adulthood.
We aim:
· To encourage personal responsibility in all forms of behaviour;
· To encourage respect and consideration for others
· To provide support and information for young people and their parents
The aim of this policy is to clearly communicate to staff, parents, pupils and visitors the manner which sex education will be delivered in this school.
Content
Sex Education provides knowledge, and encourages the acquisition of skills and attitudes which allow pupils to manage their lives in a responsible healthy way.
a) Knowledge and Information
Key Stage 2
· Decision making, risk taking;
· Families and how they behave - what members expect of each other
· Expressing feelings and how we do this; being assertive, not bullying;
· Differences and similarities in people;
· Body changes - why they are happening;
· Safety
Key Stage 3
· Puberty
· Personal safety
· Friendship
· Family life and relationships
· Gender issues
· Conception and birth
· Contraception
· HIV/Aids
· Safer sex
· Helping agencies
· Life stages
b) Values and Beliefs
As well as knowledge and information pupils will be encouraged to consider the importance of the following values;
· Respect and valuing of themselves and others;
· Understanding and sensitivity towards the needs and views of others;
· Responsibility to the school, their family and the wider community
c) Skills and Abilities
Pupils will be helped to develop the following skills;
· Communication
· Assertiveness
· Decision-making
· Recognising and using opportunities to develop a healthy lifestyle.
Organisation
a) Sex education is co-ordinated by the science co-ordinator who is responsible for overall planning, implementation and review of the programme.
b) Delivery is through
· Planned aspects within the Science and PSE curricula;
· Addressing moral and ethical issues, which may arise from apparently unrelated topics in all National curriculum subjects. Within this category, as long as any discussion takes place within the context of the subject it will not be deemed to be part of the sex education programme and therefore not subject to the parental right of the withdrawal.
c) Teaching approaches
A variety of approaches are used to give pupils relevant information; to enable moral issues to be explored through discussion; and to acquire appropriate skills.
d) Pupil Groupings
Pupils are taught in mixed ability or gender groups as appropriate.
e) Resources
· Materials - a wide range of teaching resources are available to teachers and for inspection by parents through the co-ordinator;
· Staff - with regard to sex education it is important that staffs are comfortable with the subject matter. Support will be offered to all staff.
f) Time available
· Sex education forms some part of the curriculum in every year group.
Specific Issues
The following issues may occur as part of sex education. Staff, parents and pupils need to understand the school procedures.
a) Confidentiality and advice
Pupils will be made aware that some information cannot be held confidential, and made to understand that is certain disclosures are made certain actions will ensure. At the same time pupils will be offered sensitive appropriate support.
Disclosure or suspicion of possible abuse - the school's child protection procedures will be involved.
Other disclosures - professional information and guidance will always be sought from a health professional. The school will always encourage pupils to talk with their parents first.
The value of family life is an important aspect, which will be approached largely through the consideration of the qualities and relationships between the group of people with an emphasis on stability, respect, caring and support.
b) As part of the sex education programme issues of contraception and HIV/aids are addressed. Facts are presented in an objective and balanced way, questions are answered honestly. They will be made aware of the difference between fact, opinion and religious belief.
c) Any complaints about the sex education curriculum should be made to the headteacher.
d) Under the education Act 1993 parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the sex education programme. Parents wishing to exercise that right are asked to make an appointment with the co-ordinator to discuss the issues.
Once a child has been withdrawn they cannot take part in later sex education without parent approval. Back to top