SRE will be considered in the context of the PSHE and Citizenship framework. SRE will encompass three main elements:
- Attitudes and Values
- learning the importance of values and individual conscience and moral considerations;
- learning the value of family life, marriage and stable and loving relationships for the nurture of children;
- learning the value of respect, love and care;
- exploring, considering and understanding moral dilemmas;
- developing critical thinking as part of decision making
2. Personal and social skills:
- learning to manage emotions and relationships confidently and sensitively;
- developing self-respect and empathy for others;
- learning to make choices based on an understanding of difference and with an absence of prejudice;
- developing an appreciation of the consequences of choices made;
- managing conflict;
- learning how to recognize and avoid exploitation and abuse
3. Knowledge and understanding:
- learning and understanding physical development at appropriate stages;
- understanding reproduction, emotions and relationships;
All members of staff will deliver SRE using the scheme of work from the Christopher Winter Project. Outside speakers, including the school nurse or health visitor may be invited to contribute. All outside speakers will be thoroughly briefed regarding school policy. The SRE programme will be tailored to the age, and physical and emotional maturity of the children. Children with special educational needs will be included. The cultural and religious background of pupils will be taken into account. A range of teaching methods will be employed including whole class and group teaching. The SRE should be delivered within the PSHE framework, offering a balance between the physical aspects of reproduction and an exploration of feelings, relationships and values. Questions will be dealt with in a sensitive, open, frank, and matter of fact way; in a way that respects diversity of cultures and family forms.
Procedures for pupils withdrawn from SRE
SRE is non statutory in Key Stage 2, however a pupil cannot be withdrawn from sex education where this is statutory in the Science National Curriculum. Hence children who are withdrawn from PSHE lessons will still receive biological information but not taught in the context of relationships.
In the Science programme of study for the new national curriculum, it is a statutory requirement to teach the following in year 5:
In living things and habitats, pupils should be taught to:
describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird
describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals.
In Animals, including humans, pupils should be taught to:
describe the changes as humans develop to old age.
These areas of study may be revisited in year 6.
In the instance that the right to withdrawal is exercised, parents/carers should be made aware that SRE could arise naturally from class discussion.
To withdraw a child from SRE, parents/carers need to make an appointment with the PSHE Coordinator or the Head teacher. Alternative arrangements will be made for children whose parents/carers exercise their right to withdraw them from SRE.