Sex Education

Aims

1. The aims of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at Bourne Grammar School are as follows:
   1. provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
   2. prepare students for puberty and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
   3. help students develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
   4. create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
   5. teach students the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies

Statutory requirements

1. Secondary schools must have regard to guidance issued by the secretary of state as outlined in section 403 of the Education Act 1996
2. Bourne Grammar School teaches RSE as set out in this Policy
3. RSE and Health Education became mandatory subjects from September 2020

Definition

1. RSE is about the emotional, social and cultural development of students, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity
2. RSE involves a combination of sharing information and exploring issues and values
3. RSE is not about the promotion of sexual activity

Delivery of RSE

1. RSE is taught within the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum
2. Biological aspects of RSE are taught within the science curriculum and other aspects are included in Religious Education
3. The School pursues opportunities for students to receive stand-alone sex education sessions delivered by a trained health professional
4. Across all Key Stages, students will be supported with developing the following skills:
   1. Communication, including how to manage changing relationships and emotions
   2. Recognising and assessing potential risks
   3. Assertiveness
   4. Seeking help and support when required
   5. Informed decision-making
   6. Self-respect and empathy for others
   7. Recognising and maximising a healthy lifestyle
   8. Managing conflict
   9. Discussion and group work
5. These skills are taught within the context of conventional family life, with sensitivity to the fact that our students are brought up in a range of family circumstances

Roles and responsibilities

1. The Governing Body will:
   1. approve the RSE policy and hold the Headteacher to account for its implementation
2. Appoint a named governor with oversight of RSE and Health provision
3. The Headteacher:
   1. has delegated the responsibility to the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) for ensuring that RSE is taught consistently across the School and for managing requests to withdraw students from non-statutory components of RSE
4. Staff are responsible for:
   1. Delivering RSE in a sensitive way
   2. Modelling positive attitudes to RSE
   3. Responding to the needs of individual students
   4. Responding appropriately, respectfully and reassuringly to students whose parents wish them to be withdrawn from the non-statutory components of RSE
   5. Reporting concerns to the Designated Senior Leader as per the School's Safeguarding policy
   6. Clearly communicating the law around right of withdrawal from the non-compulsory strands of RSE, and the right to re-enrol in RSE in school Year 11
5. Staff do not have the right to opt out of teaching RSE. Staff who have concerns about teaching RSE are encouraged to discuss this with the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral)
6. Students are expected to:
   1. engage fully in RSE and, when discussing issues related to RSE, treat others with respect and sensitivity

Parents’ right to withdraw

1. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory components of RSE
2. Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing and addressed to the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral). A copy of withdrawal requests will be placed in the student’s educational record
3. Alternative supervision arrangements will be made to students who are withdrawn from RSE
4. Three full academic terms before a student turns 16 (i.e. from September of Year 11), a student may choose to opt back into RSE lessons against their parent’s wishes, in accordance with the mandatory RSE and Health Curriculum from 2020.
5. Parents will be informed if their child chooses to opt back into RSE lessons having been previously withdrawn for school Years 7-10

Training

1. Staff receive guidance on the delivery of RSE
2. Visitors from outside the School, such as school nurses or sexual health professionals will be invited to provide information and guidance to identified staff
3. Key staff will be afforded continuing professional development opportunities

Monitoring arrangements

1. The delivery of RSE is monitored by the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) and Heads of Year through learning walks and student voice
2. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the School

Ownership and Date of next review

1. Policy owned by: Pastoral and Community committee.
2. Last reviewed and approved on 11 May 2022.
3. Next review due: May 2023.

Appendix 1. Guidance for Staff

1. This policy recognises that the prime responsibility for bringing up children rests with parents (In this policy statement, “parents” means all those having parental responsibility for a child)
2. This policy statement is designed to be complementary to, and supportive of, the role of parents in educating their children about sexuality and relationships
3. It is natural for caring adults to want to protect children and young people from information, attitudes and lifestyles which they themselves find distasteful. However, it is important to recognise the power of confusion caused by "informal" learning - from television, internet, radio, magazines, newspapers, gossip, jokes, and various other sources
4. Education within the curriculum can do much to dispel myths, reduce fear and anxiety, clear up misunderstanding and counteract prejudice
5. It is important that our students develop understanding and attitudes based on values which prepare them to view relationships in a responsible and healthy manner
6. Sex education will be part of the curriculum but will not be taken out of context or over-emphasised in any way. Sex education is not intended to encourage unlawful sexual activity
7. The policy is based on the belief that sex education:
   1. Is an integral part of the learning process, beginning in childhood and continuing into adult life
   2. Should be provided for all children and young people including those; with physical, learning or emotional difficulties
   3. Should encourage consideration of values, moral issues, sexuality, personal relationships and the development of communication and decision-making skills
   4. Should foster self-esteem, self awareness, the skills to avoid and resist unwanted sexual experiences and a sense of moral responsibility
8. All staff will be expected to keep within the curriculum programme when teaching relationships and sex education. Where appropriate, additional guidance and/or training will be provided by the PSHE lead
9. All staff called upon to give guidance to individual students on matters involving sex and relationships must take into account the requirements of this policy