Highweek’s Relationship and Sex Education Curriculum
 

Intent
The intention of the relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum is to help children understand such concepts as growing and changing, the life cycle, puberty and reproduction. Through this our children will understand their bodies, how they are growing and changing and how they will change in the future.  It is also about emotions, relationships, responsibilities and how we care for each other. We aim to enhance the social and emotional development of the children, helping them to understand the benefits of caring relationships and to be aware of pressures and possible dangers. The curriculum continues to develop their knowledge and skills as they learn about the physical and emotional changes of puberty and about reproduction. We encourage children to develop the skills of listening, empathy, talking about feelings and relationships with friends and families. Importantly, we will teach children to recognise unsafe and risky situations and to ask for help when they need it.
 

Implementation
RSE is taught as explicit lessons through the PSHE and science curriculums but is also embedded in other areas of the curriculum and day-to-day life of the school. RSE is specifically taught every year in the Summer Term. It is taught in the same weeks across all year groups. Parents are informed and given the opportunity to explore resources to help to prepare their child/ren for the learning.  We use lesson planning and resources from The Christopher Winter Project to ensure that knowledge is accurately delivered. Pictures are used regularly to help secure understanding and new vocabulary is explored in each lesson.

In PSHE, RSE is specifically covered in the units ‘Relationships’ and ‘Changing Me’ and in science ‘Animals Including Humans’ and ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’ also cover the statutory requirements; other elements are also covered in the Religious Education curriculum. Children are taught by familiar adults who they have a good rapport with, in order to facilitate constructive and supportive discussions around sensitive topics in a safe and secure environment. Staff have received in-house CPD to support them in responding to the needs of the individual child and support children with any questions or concerns they may have. If staff feel uncomfortable or unsure when delivering the RSE curriculum or dealing with individual pupil needs, they know where to seek advice and support. Our high expectations of behaviour, interpersonal relationships, respect and tolerance of others reflect the British Values upheld in both our community and the wider world. Through our rigorous and progressive curriculum, children develop key skills and are prepared for the wider world beyond primary school, a world in which they can keep themselves safe and healthy and thrive with the support of the positive relationships they forge with those around them.

We aim to ensure that RSE is information based but will also include the exploring of feelings, attitudes and values whilst developing communication skills.  The specific RSE learning intentions (From the Cristopher Winter Project) are as follows.

 

EYFS

Lesson 1 - To consider the routines and patterns of a typical day

Lesson 2 - To understand why hygiene is important

Lesson 3 - To recognise that all families are different

 

At Key Stage 1 pupils will be taught:

 

Year 1

Lesson 1 - To understand some basic hygiene principles

Lesson 2 - To introduce the concept of growing and changing

Lesson 3 - To explore different types of families and who to ask for help

 

Year 2

Lesson 1 - To introduce the concept of male and female and gender stereotypes and to identify diff­erences between males and females

Lesson 2 - To explore some of the differences between males and females and to understand how this is part of the lifecycle

Lesson 3 - To focus on sexual difference and name body parts

 

At Key Stage 2 pupils will be taught:

 

Year 3

Lesson 1 - To explore the differences between males and females and to name the body parts

Lesson 2 - To consider touch and to know that a person has the right to say what they like and dislike

Lesson 3 - To explore different types of families and who to go to for help and

support

 

Year 4

Lesson 1 - To explore the human lifecycle

Lesson 2 - To identify some basic facts about puberty

Lesson 3 - To explore how puberty is linked to reproduction

 

Year 5

Lesson 1 - To explore the emotional and physical changes occurring in puberty

Lesson 2 - To understand male and female puberty changes in more detail

Lesson 3 - To explore the impact of puberty on the body & the importance of hygiene

 

Year 6

Lesson 1 - To consider puberty and reproduction

Lesson 2 - Consider physical & emotional behaviour in relationships

Lesson 3 - To explore the process of conception and pregnancy

Lesson 4 - To explore positive and negative ways of communicating in a relationship

 

Impact:

We ensure that we provide the support that is necessary for all children to have a good understanding of the complexities of relationships and sexual matters and a secure knowledge and skills base to navigate their way through these, now and in the future. Through our RSE curriculum, we believe we can enhance children’s education and help them to become confident individuals who have positive body awareness, an in-depth knowledge of how to keep themselves safe and healthy and who will, through respect, tolerance and understanding, forge and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of family and friendship groups.

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Teaching Overview

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