Purpose and Guiding Principles

The academy believes that Relationships and Sex Education is the lifelong learning about moral and emotional development. It is about the understanding of what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who the people are who can support them. When teaching relationships content, teachers will address online safety and appropriate behaviour in a way that is relevant to pupils’ lives. From the beginning, teachers will talk explicitly about the features of healthy friendships, family relationships and other relationships which young children are likely to encounter. It is about the understanding of the importance of marriage for family life, stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care. It is also about the teaching of sex education at an age-appropriate level.

Relationship Education

Aim: To teach pupils the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults. The objective of this aim is to understand the following areas:

• Families and people who care for me
• Caring friendships
• Respectful relationships
• Online relationships
• Being safe

Physical Health and Wellbeing

Aim: To teach pupils the characteristics of good physical health and mental wellbeing. The objective of this aim is to understand the following areas:

• Mental wellbeing
• Internet safety and harms
• Physical health and fitness
• Healthy eating
• Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Health and prevention
• Basic first aid
• Changing adolescent body

For more details on the content of each area covered, please see the Sex and Relationships Education Policy.

Information to Parents

Information on the content of the programme will be shared in the class newsletters and; information sessions, and can also be gained by contacting the Principal at the school.
Parents do have the right to withdraw their children from Sex Education lessons (that are not part of the science curriculum), but not Relationship and Health Education. Requests for withdrawal from lessons should be addressed to the Principal, who will arrange a meeting to discuss the request with parents.

Health Professionals

The involvement of health professionals is encouraged within the Relationships and Sex Education Programme to support the work of the teaching staff and to present a community view on the various topics.