Batley Parish CE (VA) J I & N School

Primary schools are not required to teach sex education (which goes beyond the existing national curriculum for science). However it is recommended that primary schools have a sex education program in place. This would be age appropriate and consider the physical and emotional maturity of the children. .

The DfE state that:

"Effective sex and relationship education is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed decisions about their lives. It should not be delivered in isolation. It should be firmly rooted within the framework for PSHE and the National Curriculum... A successful programme, firmly embedded in PSHE, will help young people learn to respect themselves and others and move with confidence from childhood through adolescence into adulthood."

Below you will find a suggested overview of the recommended teaching for each year group. This has come from a scheme of work that has been suggested by the PSHE Association which is recommended by Department for Education (DfE). 

My special people

This lesson focuses on early learning about healthy, happy relationships, which is later built on in key stage 2. This lesson is based on a story, Grandfather and I by Helen E. Buckley, (an alternative story can be used if preferred). Pupils explore the ways the characters in the story care for
each other and what makes them special. In addition, pupils think about the special people in their own lives, friendship, family and what it means to care for each other.
Growing up: the human life cycle
This lesson introduces the concept of the human life cycle. Pupils begin to understand how we grow and change as we get older. The lesson focuses on young children growing and changing (puberty is not mentioned until key stage 2). Pupils compare the differences between a baby and
a child—what they look like and what they can do. The focus is on becoming independent; how we look after ourselves and each other as we grow, and some of the feelings that accompany the process of growing up.

Everybody’s body
Pupils may have been using a variety of different words to name the male and female genitalia/sex parts, but this lesson directly teaches the correct terminology. It is important for younger pupils to know how to name their body parts correctly as this contributes to safeguarding—helping them
to take care of their bodies and keep themselves safe. This is built on later in key stage 2, when pupils learn about puberty and the changes when growing from children to adults. It is suggested that this lesson is taught within the context of other learning about similarities and differences (e.g.
growing and changing, people and animals). This lesson also begins to address the issue of gender stereotypes

What makes a good friend?
This lesson builds on pupils’ learning from key stage one about special people and extends their learning about their close networks and friendships. The focus is on the qualities of being a good friend and the importance of friendship in all our lives. This lesson will help to develop pupils’ understanding of positive, healthy relationships, and is written at a level appropriate for pupils in year 3. This concept is re-visited in upper key stage two.

Falling out with friends
This lesson builds on the learning from the previous session - What makes a good friend? Sometimes, even good friends have disagreements or ‘fall out’ – it is important that pupils learn that there are ways to manage this if it happens to them. Pupils should understand that a quarrel does not always mean
the end of a friendship and that there are things they can do that might help to mend or strengthen their friendship. To further develop their understanding, pupils explore strategies they can use to try to solve problems that can arise in friendships and to seek help if they need it.

Puberty Lessons
Time to change
The first lesson focuses on some of the external changes that happen to the body.

Physical hygiene
This lesson helps pupils to recognise the importance of personal hygiene during puberty, and to consider some of the questions young people may have about the physical changes at puberty.

Puberty Lessons

Menstruation and wet dreams
The second lesson focuses in more detail on some of the external and internal changes that happen to the human body.

Emotions and feelings
This lesson focuses in more detail on some of the emotional changes that may take place during puberty and outlines some of the changes that may occur in friendships and other relationships. It teaches pupils where and how to get help and support.

Puberty: re-cap and review
This lesson has been designed to consolidate pupils’ previous learning about puberty. Pupils should have already learned about puberty in year 4, but this lesson gives them the opportunity to recap and review their understanding of puberty.

Puberty: change and becoming independent
This lesson extends pupils’ thinking about puberty and the concept of change throughout our lives. It explores in more detail, some of the feelings associated with change. It helps pupils to consider changes that might occur alongside puberty, including moving to secondary school and the new
roles and responsibilities that this might bring.

Positive, healthy relationships
Increasing pupils’ understanding of what is meant by a positive, healthy and loving relationship is an important part of safeguarding their health and wellbeing. This lesson looks at different kinds of relationships, and the values, expectations and responsibilities within healthy, positive relationships.
The lesson also explores some ways that changing relationships can be managed—ensuring behaviour is respectful, even when things do change.

How babies are made
By year 6, it is likely that pupils will have some idea about how babies are made through sexual intercourse. Although it is possible they may have some misconceptions, very few pupils will still believe myths or make-believe stories. Having an understanding of what is meant by sex is an
important foundation for the RSE they will receive at secondary school. This lesson emphasises that having sexual intercourse or the decision to have a baby is something for when they are much older. It also emphasises the importance of consent in this context. The lesson enables pupils to reflect
on the values and responsibilities within healthy adult relationships and is therefore set clearly within RSE— as part of the wider PSHE education curriculum.

You have the right to withdraw your child/children from sex education. This does not include the aspects that are covered in the science curriculum.