Catholic Education for Personal Relationships

Sex and Relationships Policy

 

 

Mission Statement

 

Our school aims to provide a Christian setting in which the children can grow in wisdom and understanding and in which they can acquire the range of skills, attitudes and values which will help them become exemplars of their faith and responsible, caring and trustworthy citizens.

 

Rationale

 

‘I have come that you might have life and have it to the full’

(Jn.10.10)

 

Rationale and Context for Education in Sex and Relationships[1]

Following the Guiding Principles,the Catholic character of the school requires that, in the specific area of Education in Sex and Relationships, the leadership and management of Immaculate Heart of Mary school, working with foundation governors, will:

 

▪           ensure that the school seeks to remain faithful to Catholic belief and teaching on matters of faith and morality.

 

▪           promote Catholic belief and teaching concerning human dignity and relationships and, in particular, encourage an understanding of and respect for the sanctity of human life, the virtue of chastity, and the sacrament of marriage.

 

▪           oversee the delivery of education in sex and relationships to guarantee its faithfulness to the belief and teaching of the Catholic Church (this includes the content of teaching and resources) so that it excludes anything which risks reducing the understanding of sexuality to the level of a mere bodily function, biological process or recreational activity.

 

▪           recognise the primary role of parents in the education of their children and, ‘in particular, sex education is a basic right of the parents and must always be carried out under their close supervision.The school recognises that school based education in sex and relationships must always be carried out in direct consultation with parents.

 

▪           demonstrate pastoral sensitivity for the cultural, personal and family circumstances of children and young people while maintaining the integrity of Catholic belief and teaching.

 

▪           enable the formation of children and young people through a consistent application of Catholic belief and teaching on matters of faith and morality across the whole curriculum and from all staff.

 

▪           monitor the involvement and teaching of external agencies/visiting speakers, and the distribution of resources within school provided by them – in order that all presentations and content are in accordance with the belief and teachings of the Catholic Church.

 

 Aims of SRE

 

v  Know that they are a unique creation of God and so are able to grow in self-respect developing a positive attitude to themselves, their feelings and their sexuality

 

v  To encourage pupils' growth in self respect, acknowledging we are all created in the likeness of God.

 

v  To help pupils develop an understanding that love is the central basis of relationships.

 

v  To develop pupils' confidence in talking, listening and thinking about feelings and relationships.

 

v  To offer sex education in the wider context of relationships.

 

v  Come to understand the influence and impact of the media, Internet, peer groups and develop the ability to assess pressures and respond appropriately.

 

v  Explore and respond appropriately to prejudice and gender stereotyping.

 

v  Think positively about their own body.

 

v  To ensure that pupils protect themselves and ask for help and support when needed.

 

v  Identify and have the confidence to talk about their emotions and ask for help and support when needed.

 

v  To ensure that pupils are prepared for puberty.

 

v  Develop the ability to form positive relationships  and reject bullying

 

v  Have an understanding of the family, an appreciation of the values of family life and the roles and responsibilities of family members

 

v  To help pupils to develop a healthier, safer lifestyle.

 

v  To prepare pupils to play an active role as citizens and to understand the Catholic vision of what it means to be citizens of the Kingdom/reign of God

 

v  Recognise and appreciate the Catholic belief in the importance of marriage for family life and the bringing up of children

 

Delivery of SRE

 

SRE is taught through:

RE and Science as well as other areas of the curriculum by way of a cross curricular, integrated approach.

All elements of PSHCE at Key Stage 1 and 2, are covered.

 

 

Expected learning outcomes at Key Stage 1:

 

• know they are made by God and are precious

• value themselves and others as God’s children

• identify and value differences and similarities between people

• recognise their membership of the family and recognise roles of individuals in families

• know and understand that families should care for each other

• know and understand the needs of babies

• recognise the school and the parish as a caring community

• recognise that all are part of God’s family

• know and understand the process of growth from young to old and how people’s needs change

• know themselves as male or female

• appreciate celebrations marking birthdays and special occasions

• develop their relationship with God through prayer and acts of worship

• know about rituals that mark life, and especially, birth, marriage, death

• listen and co-operate with others

• appreciate relationships, friends, family, working together, sharing, playing together

• know that saying sorry is important

• identify and share their feelings with others and develop an ability to deal with their emotions

• recognise that their feelings and actions affect other people

• identify and be able to talk with someone they trust

• know about being safe, recognise safe and unsafe places, and use simple rules for dealing with strangers or whenever they feel uncomfortable or unsafe

• know the basic rules for keeping themselves healthy

 

National Curriculum Science

 

• recognise and compare the main external parts of human bodies

• recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others and treat others with sensitivity

• know and understand that animals, including humans, grow and reproduce

• know and understand that humans and animals can produce offspring and these grow into adults

 

  

Expected learning outcomes at Key Stage 2

 

 

• value themselves as a child of God, and their body as God’s gift to them

• recognise their own worth and identify positive things about themselves

• appreciate that life is precious and a gift from God

• understand that they grow and change throughout life

• recognise as they approach puberty, how emotions can change and how to deal with their feelings towards themselves, their family and others in a positive way

• know and understand their bodies and the need for personal hygiene

• understand the nature of different relationships, marriage, families, friends, communities

• understand that differences and similarities between people can arise from a number of factors, including cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, gender and disability

• recognise and challenge stereotypes

• understand that bullying is wrong and how to get help with bullying

• discuss Jesus’ and the Church’s teaching on forgiveness and recognise the importance of forgiveness in relationships

• discuss moral questions about relationships in the light of the Bible and Church teaching

• recognise the choices they make and that there are good choices and wrong choices which have consequences

• recognise the need for respect, love and trust to sustain relationships

• develop an appreciation of what is involved in bringing up children and what responsibilities parents have

• develop their relationship with God through prayer and acts of worship

• know the rituals celebrated in Church that mark birth, marriage, death

• be more confident in a wide range of new social situations, such as seeking new friends, taking on responsibilities in school and at home

• form opinions about relationships and express them

• listen to, and show respect for, other people’s beliefs and viewpoints

• listen to and support their friends and manage friendship problems

• see things from other people’s point of view, for example their parents, carers and teachers

• recognise different risks in different situations and appropriate responses

• identify adults they can trust and who they can ask for help

 

National Curriculum Science

 

• know and understand that the life processes common to humans and other animals include nutrition, movement, growth and reproduction

• know about the main stages of the human life cycle

 

 

 

We also acknowledge that every area of school life can potentially contribute to SRE  as the school, of its very nature operates through positive human relationships.

 

All staff realise the obligation to deliver SRE in their role as class teachers or support staff. Staff also recognise the need for close co–operation with each other and other subject areas in order to ensure an holistic approach to SRE.

 

We recognise that SRE requires sensitive teaching which is matched in particular by the specific needs and concerns of pupils.

Teachers will use their professional judgement when addressing issues in SRE and careful consideration will need to be given to the inevitable wide and varied experience and backgrounds of the pupils in the class.

All teachers involved in SRE are required to be sensitive, credible and consistent.

All pupils are given equal access to SRE, including Sex Education, within the curriculum.

 

  

The Governing Body

 

The Governing body and Foundation Governors in particular recognise their responsibility to ensure the SRE programme follows Diocesan principles and reflects the Church’s teaching.

The Role of Parents

 

'The Church has always recognised that it is the privilege and the responsibility of parents to educate and inform their children in all matters pertaining to personal growth and development particularly in the sensitive area of their moral education and sexual development.  The Church also recognises that many parents require help and support in this task from both schools and parishes.'(Bishops’ Low Week Meeting 1994)

 

The Governing body fully subscribes to the views expressed by the Bishops' Conference. The Governors will always strive to ensure that:

-          Parents are supported in their task.

-          Parents are consulted and kept informed of the SRE Programme and its contents and any subsequent developments.                  

 

 

Child Withdrawal

 

It is our hope that parents would wish pupils to be involved in the schools programme of sex and relationship education. However, we recognise parents have the right to withdraw their children from this but not from those areas which are required by National Curriculum Science.

 

Parents with concerns are invited in the first instance, to arrange an appointment with the school to discuss these concerns and see if they can be resolved.  If the matter remains unresolved, parents need to notify the Governors of their intention to withdraw their child from the sex education programme.

 

 

Entitlement and Equal Opportunities

We provide a broad and balanced education in the sex and relationships programme for all pupils including those with special educational needs. We recognise that there are a wide range of pupils who may require particular support because of their learning needs or disabilities or who have social and communication difficulties or other needs. We recognise that learning and teaching methods may need to be adapted and specialist resources and training required. We shall ensure that children with special educational needs are not, at any point, withdrawn from education in sex and relationships because of lack of resources and training or in order to catch up on other subjects.

 

This policy needs to be read and understood in conjunction with the school’s ‘Single Equality Scheme and Action Plan’ (Equal Opportunities) policy.

 

  

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

Teachers and other members of staff cannot promise complete confidentiality. Disclosures by pupils and young people to members of staff that indicate that they are being abused or are at some risk of abuse will be referred by those members of staff to the person responsible for safeguarding in the school. The school will always follow local authority procedures when dealing with safeguarding and child protection issues.

 

Monitoring and Review

This policy was reviewed and amended in March 2012 by staff from Immaculate Heart of Mary, St Pauls, St Urbans and Holy Name, using guidance on Catholic Education in Personal Relationships ~ ‘Created for Love’.

 

This policy will be monitored bi-annually by the SRE/RE Co-ordinator and will be reviewed by the Governing Body on a bi-annual basis.

Any change will be discussed with parents before being implemented.