THE NEW
SCHOOL SEX EDUCATION POLICY
PURPOSE
It is defined in the government circular 0116/2000 as:
ÒLifelong learning about the physical; moral and emotional development.
It is about the importance of marriage for family life, stable and loving
relationships, respect, love and care. It is also about the teaching of sex,
sexuality and sexual health. It is not about the promotion of sexual
orientation or sexual activity- this would be inappropriate teachingÓ
Aims and objectives of School Sex Education Policy
The school Sex Education Policy is encompassed within the general aims of
the school. It seeks to promote:
Ôthe personal growth of ALL
young people towards physical, intellectual and spiritual maturityÕ.
It aims to provide :-
á
a relevant and interesting
programme of study appropriate to each pupil
á
a range of experiences necessary
to provide individual responsibility
á
guidance and support necessary to
begin life in the adult world.
Sex education is to be taught within
a moral framework which encourages the following values:
á
Self respect
á
Respect for others
á
Self restraint
á
Acceptance of responsibility
á
Commitment and trust
á
Honesty
á
Sensitivity
The purpose of this document is to communicate
the provision of sex education at The New School to students, parents and
carers, staff and any other interested parties.
The chief aims of Sex Education at The New School
are:-
á
To ensure an understanding of
human development and in particular body changes during puberty.
á
To consider the value of love,
commitment and the role of the family.
á
To provide pupils with the
necessary information about methods of contraception.
á
To develop skills to empower
pupils to take positive and responsible control of decisions affecting their
health and development.
á
To explore and understand
feelings, attitudes and values concerned with health and relationships.
á
To consider legal
responsibilities associated with sexual matters.
á
To provide awareness of sexual
attitudes and behaviour in present day society.
á
To understand and respect the
varied cultural and religious influences on individual sexuality
SCOPE
Sex education provides knowledge and encourages the acquisition of
skills and attitudes, which allow students to manage their lives in a
responsible and healthy way.
a) Knowledge and information – Refer to Appendix A
Key stage 3: puberty, personal safety, friendship and love, family life
and relationship, gender issues, conception, birth, contraception, parenting,
life stages and sexually transmitted diseases.
Key stage 4: birth processes, abortion,
fostering, safer sex, sexually transmitted diseases (HIV and aids), sexual
lifestyles, prejudice and stereotypes and different cultures.
b) Values and beliefs: The
importance of the following
á
Respect and valuing themselves
and others
á
Understanding and
sensitivity to others
á
Responsibility for their
own actions
á
Responsibility to school,
their family and wider community
c) Skills and attitudes
á
communication including
making and keeping of relationships
á
assertiveness
á
decision making
á
recognising and using
opportunities to develop a healthy lifestyle.
OWNERSHIP
Sex education is co-ordinated by the L&S
tutor who is responsible for the overall planning, implementation and review of
the programme.
TARGET
á
To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental
and physical development of our students at the school and in society.
á
To prepare students for the opportunities,
responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
QUALITY OBJECTIVES
á
To encourage personal responsibility in all forms of
behaviour.
PROCEDURAL DETAIL
Delivery:
á
Planned aspects within Science, RE and other topics
á
During lesson as required
á
Specialist organisations e.g.
Staffordshire Buddies
Teaching approaches
A
variety of approaches are used to give students relevant information, and to
enable moral issues to be discussed.
Content and Organisation
of Sex Education programme
The
programme will have regard to the schoolÕs equal opportunities policy. A clear
stance will be taken against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Young
people will have an entitlement to all aspects of the programme. Certain issues
may be dealt with in single sex groups where appropriate. Attention will be
given to ensuring resources are accessible to pupils of all abilities.
The
delivery of sex education will be in a setting that encourages open discussion
and a respect for other young peoplesÕ viewpoints. It will seek to develop
skills of communication, decision-making and collaborative working. Issues will
be dealt with sensitively and attention will be given to clarifying attitudes
and values.
In order
to identify the main elements of the sex education programme the content has
been grouped into six main areas:-
á
Human Growth and Development
á
Health Issues
á
Families and Parenting
á
Relationships
á
Sexuality and sexual identity
á
Self image
Procedures for Visiting Speakers - Staff who invite outside speakers
must:-
á
Agree in advance the areas to be
covered
á
Make available to speakers in
advance a copy of the Sex Education
á
Policy and ensure that the
planned talk complies with the said Sex Education Policy.
á
Ensure that a member of staff is
available and in attendance to support the session.
á
Assess the value of the SpeakerÕs contribution to
the Sex Education Programme
Resources
á
Materials: as can be
viewed by parents/carers.
á
Staff: staff, who feel
comfortable with the subject matter. Only appropriate trained staff will be
involved. It is the aim to have both a female and male teacher wherever
possible.
The following
are issues that may arise. Staff and parents/carers need to understand the
procedures.
Confidentiality and Advice
Students will be made aware that certain information will not be
confidential and teachers have a duty to disclose such information. Students
should be offered sensitivity and support.
á
Staff should follow the procedures in case of
disclosure or suspicion (see Safeguarding / Child Protection Policy).
á
Disclosure of pregnancy or advice on contraception.
It is hoped that any type of student problem will be supported.
Professional information and guidance will be sought from a health
professional.
The school will
encourage students to talk to their parents/carers.
á
If students do talk to parents/carers, the
responsibility will lie with the parents/carers.
á
If students refuse then they should be referred to a
health professional
á
If the person is under 16 then the matter should also
be reported to the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator.
Underlying principles
á
The value of life is an important aspect, which will
be approached largely through a consideration of the qualities and
relationships between groups or people, with an emphasis on stability, respect,
caring and support.
á
As part of the sex education programme issues of
contraception, HIV/AIDS and other STDs and abortion are addressed. Facts will
be presented in an objective and balanced way. Students will be encouraged to
consider their attitudes and values.
Complaints procedure
Any complaints
about the sex education curriculum should be made to the Learning & Skills
Co-ordinator who will report it to the TCHA Board.
Parental Partnership
Staff are willing to discuss with
parents/carers any matters which they are concerned about. It is important that
there is no conflict of information given to the students.
Child Withdrawal Procedures - Parents
have the right to withdrawn their young person from all or part of the Sex
Education curriculum. The exception is that part covered by the National
Curriculum orders in Science deal with human reproduction. Parents are not
required to provide a reason for such a request nor are they compelled to
indicate what other arrangements they intend to make for providing sex
education for their young person. It is hoped that the parent school
partnership will encompass sex education and requests for withdrawal from the
programme will be minimal.
The
following procedures are provided to assist parents in this process and inform
TCHA Policy.
All
parents will receive details of the Sex Education Policy upon request. Parents
wishing to exercise their right to withdraw their young person from all or part
of the programme will be invited to discuss their reasons for such a decision
with the Learning & Skills Tutor or co-ordinator in order to resolve any
misunderstandings regarding the nature of the Sex Education provided. Details
of such reasons will be recorded and used to inform any review of the Sex
Education Policy. School produced materials will be made available for parents use
at home if required. A list of young people withdrawn from aspects of the
programme will be circulated to all staff participating in the programme.
Pupils
withdrawn from all or part of the programme will normally undertake alternative
work.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Sex Education will be monitored
by the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator
á
The
policy will be reviewed yearly by the Learning & Skills tutor and will be
available to parents and carers upon request.
á
TCHA
Management Committee should consider whether the existing policy and practice
conform to the revised legal requirements for sex education.
Appendix
A
Human Growth and Development
¯ Understand the biological aspects of reproduction and childbirth.
Understand the methods that can be used to prevent conception and their
implications for health.
¯
Know about the technology to help
in the reproduction process [and be able to discuss the ethical, moral and
legal issues involved].
Health Issues
¯
Be aware of the need for
preventative health care and know what this involves.
¯
Understand the biological aspects
of HIV/AIDS and how it is transmitted.
¯
Consider attitudes, values,
beliefs and moral standpoints with regard to controversial issues such as
abortion and prenatal testing.
Families and Parenting
¯
Understand the influence of a
parent on a childÕs physical and emotional development.
¯
Understand that the roles of
different members of the family may alter over time.
Relationships
¯
Be aware of partnerships,
marriage and divorce and the impact of loss, separation, bereavement.
¯
Be aware that feeling positive
about sexuality and sexual activity is important in relationships.
¯
Be aware of the part that family
life can play in happy and fulfilling relationships.
o Be able to understand and manage the pressures exerted on relationships
by such events as the
arrival of a new baby and financial difficulties.
¯
Be aware of organisations which
offer support in human relationships e.g. Relate.
Sex and Sexual identity
¯ Understand the changing nature of sexuality over time and its impact on
lifestyle, e.g. the menopause.
¯
Understand aspects of legislation
relating to sexual behaviour.
¯
Be aware of the range of sexual
attitudes and behaviours in society.
Self image
¯
Be able to carry out honest
self-assessment.
¯
Be able to express feelings
confidently.
¯
Accept responsibility for and be
able to justify personal choices and decisions.
¯
Understand the importance of
feeling positive about oneself and others.
¯
Be aware of the influence of the
media on self-image.
¯
Be aware of all forms of sexual
harassment and develop strategies to deal with them.
¯
Be able to analyse and assess
situations in terms of safety.
This
policy was agreed and approved by the TCHA Board of Directors
on behalf of Tamworth Cornerstone Housing Association
was
reviewed................2011..........................
next review....................2013........................