SEX & RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION (SRE) POLICY
BRANKSOME HEATH MIDDLE SCHOOL
SEX & RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION (SRE) POLICY
Policy Reviewed 21.9.09
Branksome Heath is a Middle deemed primary school serving the local community in an area of Poole noted for higher than average underage pregnancy statistics.
Parents have a right to withdraw their children from part of or all of SRE outside of what is specified in the National Curriculum. As recommended by the Dfee, SRE will be delivered as part of the PSHCE framework. Parents will be offered the opportunity to view materials used during the delivery of the lessons in addition to time to discuss any issues with the PSHCE Co-ordinator and School/Community Nurse.
Branksome Heath follows the Borough of Poole SRE guidelines and lesson plans (presently being updated by the RPSHCE advisor in consultation with PCT liaison and many of the borough's PSHCE Co-ordinators).
At Primary level, SRE should contribute to the foundation of PSHCE by ensuring that all children:
- Develop confidence in talking, listening and thinking about feelings and relationships;
- Are able to name parts of the body and describe how their bodies work;
- Can protect themselves and ask for help and support and
- Are prepared for puberty.
The DFee recommends that all primary schools should have a SRE programme tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the children, ensuring that both boys and girls know about puberty and how a baby is born - as set out in KS1 & KS2 of the National Science Curriculum (KS3 for Year 7).
All children, including those who develop earlier than average, need to know about puberty before they experience the onset of physical changes. In the early primary school years, education about relationships needs to focus on friendship, bullying and the building of self-esteem.
Schools should have clear parameters on what children will be taught in the transition year before moving to KS3. This should include:
- Changes in the body related to puberty, such as periods and voice breaking;
- When these changes are likely to happen and what issues may cause young people anxiety and how they can deal with these;
- How a baby is conceived and born.
Confidentiality
It is only in the most exceptional circumstances that schools should be in the position of having to handle information without parental knowledge. Please refer to the school's Confidentiality and Child Protection Policies.
Child Protection
Teachers need to be aware that effective SRE, which brings an understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a relationship, can lead to disclosure of a child protection issue. If a member of the school's staff suspects that a child is a victim of abuse or has reason to believe that he/she is at risk of abuse, they should immediately (before the end of the school day), refer to the school's designated Child Protection Officer. | 
