Relationship & Sexual Education
• Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools from September 2020 (DfE, para 65/page 23).
• The DfE recommends that ‘all primary schools should have a programme of sex education tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the pupils. It should ensure that both boys and girls are prepared for the changes that adolescence brings and – drawing on knowledge of the human cycle set out in national curriculum science - how a baby is conceived and born (DfE, para 67/page 23).
• All pupils will be taught in national curriculum science: the main external parts of the human body; how the body changes as it grows (including puberty); the reproductive process in some plants and animals.
• All pupils will be taught the health education content as outlined in the RSHE guidance. The section on the changing adolescent body includes: key facts about puberty and the changing adolescence body particularly through from age 9 through to age 11, including physical and emotional changes; about menstrual well-being including the key facts about the menstrual cycle (DfE, page 35).
• All pupils will be taught about relationships education content as outlined in the RSHE guidance. This includes learning about caring relationships and different types of families (DfE, page 20). All teaching is sensitive and age appropriate in approach and content. Teaching will be fully integrated into programmes of study rather than delivered as a stand-alone unit or lesson (DfE, para 37/page 15). Teaching about diverse families (e.g. LGBT) is part of relationships education.
Prior to the delivery of Sex Education lessons parents/carers will be:
• Consulted about the content, organisation, and delivery of the sex education programme.
• Given the opportunity to share their views on the lesson(s).
• Informed in advance of the content of sex education lessons and be able to view the main resources used.
• Encouraged to complement the teaching at home by sharing the learning and talking about family values and beliefs.
• Given clear guidance on how to request the withdrawal of their child from sex education.