Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)
What is meant by “Relationship and Sex Education”
Relationships and Sex Education is defined by the PSHE Association as ’learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health’. This content is delivered in an age appropriate way in our school with regard to the age and stage of pupils.
Introduction
The policy at Renishaw Primary School is in line with current regulations from the Department of Education (DfE) on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (Feb 2019).
Relationships Education and Health Education are taught in Renishaw Primary School as statutory subjects. Elements of sex education, though non-statutory, are also part of an integrated PSHE programme of work. For the purposes of this policy, we will refer to Relationships Education and Sex Education as combined subjects, as any learning about the physical and sexual aspects of growing up is taught in the context of positive healthy relationships.
Relationships and Sex Education make a significant contribution to the school’s legal duties to:
· Prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
· Promote the spiritual, moral, social cultural mental and physical development of pupils Governing bodies are required by the Education (No.2) Act 1986 and also the 1993 Education Act to prepare and keep up to date statements of policy on the content and organisation of any sex education in their schools. In making this statement the governors have taken into account the National Curriculum document for Science.
RSHE
British Values
British Values at Renishaw Primary School
The DfE have recently reinforced the need to ‘create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’
These are values that have a central place in the way our children learn and in the content of our curriculum at Renishaw Primary. Our rolling programme for PSHE which is available on our website shows the topics that we address at different points in the cycle.
However, this is only a small part of what happens at our school!
Democracy:
Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of School Councillors, Mini PTFA as well are based solely on pupil votes. The children learn about, and practise, democracy through visits from local councillors and Members of Parliament as well as other visitors, through having their own voices heard in decision making process and voting for what happens in their school by meeting with the Full Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team. Our Y6 children visit the Houses of Parliament as well.
- The School Council promotes the democratic process – pupils nominate and vote for their representatives within the School Council
- Children create and adhere to class rules
- Our marking policy encourages feedback enabling children to respond and to and influence the learning process
- Parents and staff are surveyed and the results of which inform aspects of the School Improvement Plan
- PE across the school, and promoting our school in local sporting competitions
- Children are encouraged to voice their opinions in formal and informal ways (suggestion boxes; class discussions; pupil conferencing; and the School Council)
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Lifeguards etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. The children learn about the importance of laws in the class, the school and the wider community, through the exercise of a fair behaviour policy and opportunities for discussion in PSHE and assemblies.
- We have clear rules and expectations of behaviour and a Whistle Blowing policy which is adhered to by all pupils, staff and other stakeholders
- The school supports pupils in regulating their own behaviour to make choices for the wellbeing of themselves and others
- School assemblies are thematic and include e-safety, road safety, stranger danger and caring for the environment
- Attendance and punctuality is good and all stakeholders are aware of the importance of being at school
- Pupils follow, respect and understand the need for different rules in different situations, i.e. PE lessons, school visits, classrooms and the playground
- Pupils are rewarded for good behaviour through the positive behaviour system and rewards e.g. weekly certificates
- Visits from the emergency services, MPs/councillors, reinforces the rule of law and the reasoning/purpose behind them
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
- Children are provided with boundaries which encourage them to make choices safely
- Children are encouraged to express their views and beliefs
- Children have key responsibilities within the school
- Children have access to a broad range of extra-curricular activities and are encouraged to participate in them
- Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our RSSE and E-Safety lessons
- Children know who to speak to if they are worries or concerned about themselves or others, e.g. family, teachers, and office staff
Mutual Respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and ‘Pride’ pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Behaviour Policy and Anti Bullying work.
- Pupils work in teams, share ideas in public and show respect for other’s opinions during class discussions, assemblies and concerts
- School rules reinforce mutual respect
- All members of the school community treat each other with respect and model this behaviour with colleagues and pupils
- Pupils work together in different groupings and situations in different lessons and subjects
- All pupils participate in live productions and assemblies throughout the year
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and RSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
Our RSHE and RE curriculum seek to enhance pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society, along with discussions, visits, visitors and the modelling of a tolerant and accepting attitude.
At Renishaw Primary School we value the backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning this is a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to the British Empire and British values.
In Year 6 for example, pupils undertake an intense topic about London and the British Monarchy. This is linked with the annual Poppy Day celebrations where children purchase poppies and a minute’s silence is held in specially created assemblies for the school for the infants and a formal ceremony at the Renishaw Memorial which is attended on the Sunday by our School Council and by all of the junior children on the 11th November each year
- We celebrate major world religions throughout the year
- Our RE and RSHE curriculum provides children with a broad and balanced understanding of world religions and promotes respect for the beliefs of others
- We provide resources to ensure that all pupils are effectively integrated into the teaching and learning process and the wider school community, including those that join at different starting points and those who have English as an additional language
As a whole school, we have celebrated the Olympics, with Olympic themed sports days, competitions to design sports kits and opportunities to learn about the history of Olympians in this country. Our local residents are former members of Team GB and visit the school regularly to support Paralympic and inclusive sports as well as supporting Gifted and Talented Athletics programmes.
More recently, we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee was a huge event for the school, with parents invited to a ‘street party’ event held in the playgrounds. Traditional children’s party food of jelly and ice-cream, jam sandwiches and cloudy lemonade were served to all.
On a more general level, the school undertakes assemblies which uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance. These are also taught within formal RHSE and RE lessons and on an informal nature throughout the school days.
