Our Vision for Relationship and Sex Education at Mundy C of E Junior School

"I am helped when help is needed, I am talked to politely by teachers and children alike" - Year 6 Student (MJS 2022)

"Some of my school friends are part of the LGBTQ+ and feel respected, which makes me feel safe" - Year 6 Student (MJS 2022)

Intent:

The aims of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at Mundy C of E Junior School are to:

• Help children identify and understand positive relationships

• Help children develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy

• Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place

• Teach children the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies

• Prepare children for puberty, and give them an understanding of the importance of health and hygiene

• Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality

At Mundy C of E Junior School, we are committed to ensuring that the basic rights, as explained in the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are met and incorporated into all aspects of school life.

Relationships Education enables children to:

• be appreciative of existing relationships

• to form new healthy relationships

• to enjoy strong positive, non-exploitative, caring relationships online and in person.

This will particularly reference family relationships including marriage, friendships and relationships with peers and adults.

Health Education enables children to:

• learning the benefits and importance of exercise, nutrition and sleep

• understanding a range of emotions and feelings

• developing understanding between good physical and good mental health

• understanding the changing adolescent body.

Implementation:

At Mundy C of E Junior School we recognise the individual needs of our children. Through our education and our ethos, we will adopt a culture which embodies our school ‘Be Statements’. This is an ethos that will exist every day in school and not just on specific themed days. In line with government guidance, our curriculum (Growing up with Yasmine and Tom) needs to reflect this and focus on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships and health education.

RSE is taught within the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum and delivered predominantly, but not exclusively, using the PSHE Matters and Growing up with Yasmine and Tom schemes of work. Whilst the scheme has been developed to meet statutory requirements, it has the flexibility to be adapted to meet the requirements of our children.

PSHE is taught weekly, with a different focus for each half term. In PSHE, RSE is significant throughout but some aspects of RSE will be taught in more depth.

The curriculum has been developed, taking into account the age and needs of the children. As with any topic, pupils will ask questions during RSE to further their understanding. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, teachers will employ strategies to ensure that questions are asked and answered in a factual, balanced and age-appropriate way.

At the beginning of the lesson the MyLO is shared with the class; including their 3 aims for the lesson and any key vocab that may be used within the lesson. Ground rules are also set and repeated throughout the lesson, in order for all children to feel safe and respected. Teachers will provide clear and detailed explanations, in order for children to fully understand and participate whole heartedly within the lesson. Throughout the lesson, tasks may be adapted or differentiated in order to support and/or challenge all pupils. Lessons may solely be discussion based or tasks may be set which allows children to work independently, in small groups or as a 1:1 with and adult. Where necessary a range of resources will be available e.g., videos, images, age-appropriate published texts, discussions scenario cards and in some cases, feminine hygiene products.

Throughout the lesson questions are asked in order to assess individual children’s needs and address any misconceptions. Questions can also be placed anonymously inside a box and answered by the class teacher at the end of the lesson. Class discussions and tailored questioning allows children to progress throughout the lesson. At the end of each lesson children will take part in a self-assessment, providing an opportunity for the teacher to gain an insight into who may need further support or explanation.

Impact:

By the end of Key Stage 2 at Mundy C of E Junior Scholl, the children will demonstrate confidence and awareness about sex and relationships in an independent and safe way. Children will develop a good understanding about safety and risks in relationships. They will be prepared for the physical and emotional changes they undergo during puberty. RSE will promote the children’s wellbeing and will prepare them for the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities of adult life. The RSE curriculum will have a positive impact on the children’s’ health and wellbeing and their ability to achieve.