Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)
RSE Statement
Our guiding principles, set out by the Department for Education’ have been that all of the compulsory subject content must be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate. It must be taught sensitively and inclusively, with respect to the backgrounds and beliefs of pupils and parents while always with the aim of providing pupils with the knowledge they need of the law.
We are clear that parents and carers are the prime educators for children on many of these matters. The schools complement and reinforce this role and see building on what pupils learn at home as an important part of delivering a good education.
The knowledge and attributes gained by the children will support their own, and others’, wellbeing and attainment and help young people to become successful and happy adults who make a meaningful contribution to society.
Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.
Department for Education , RSE Statutory Guidance Secretary of State
‘To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, pupils need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. Pupils can also put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks, challenges and complex contexts. Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. These subjects can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support.’
(Department for Education, 2019: p8)
Aims
The aims of relationships and sex education (RSE) at our school are to:
- Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
- Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
- Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
- Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
- Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies
Statutory requirements
As a voluntary aided federation of schools, we must provide relationships education to all pupils under section
34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
We are required to teach the elements of sex education contained in the science national curriculum.
Alongside this requirement, the Blue Coat Governing Body has determined that the Federation will have a sex
education programme.
Although parents/carers can not withdraw their children from PSHE, relationships or Science lessons, they can withdraw their children from sex education lessons.
In teaching RSE, we must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state, as outlined in section 403
of the Education Act 1996.
We must also have regard to our legal duties set out in:
– Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996
– Part 6, chapter 1 of the Equality Act 2010
– The Public Sector Equality Duty (as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010).
This duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of
opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities. At Blue Coat C.E. Federation, we teach RSE as set out in this BCF RSE Policy below