Relationship and sex education: What and when?

Primary – The Growing Up Safe Programme

The Growing Up Safe Programme that Big Talk Education deliver to the children. It is our belief that every child deserves to be kept safe, healthy and happy through knowledge and understanding. The programme follows a ‘spiral curriculum’ where children’s knowledge is built upon through a year-by-year approach at an age-appropriate level for their year group and uses specially designed child friendly resources throughout.

It reflects the current Government Statutory Guidance, Sex Education Forum and Ofsted recommendations and includes feedback from Parents and School Staff.

 Here is an outline of what is covered in the respective year groups:

Nursery (Age 3)

The lessons for this year group create a fun learning environment where children are taught the correct scientific names for the body.  We appreciate that children may have their own family names for these body parts at home, however as we explain to the children when we are talking like Doctors, Nurses and Scientists we use the correct scientific words. The children are taught the names for different body parts for boys and girls, what areas of the body are private, and the difference between a ‘good’ (appropriate) and a ‘bad’ (inappropriate) touch.  ‘Trusted Adults’ is a term that we introduce and use in every year group, to make it clear to the children that they have many adults (at home and at school) who they can talk to, who are there to listen, protect and help them if they are ever worried about anything.
Time 10 – 15 minutes

Reception – Year 1 (Ages 4 – 5)

The lessons for these age groups of children reinforce what is covered in Nursery.  The term ‘Trusted Adults’ and who those people are is reiterated throughout the lesson.  Alongside the knowledge of the private areas of the body, this lesson teaches the children the difference between happy and risky situations e.g. other children or adults taking improper photographs of their bodies, talking to strangers in the park, inappropriate touches etc.
Time 20 minutes

Year 2 and 3 (Age 6 – 7)

Year 2 and 3 content builds upon previous years knowledge and includes internet safety and who they can ask to help them to stay safe online.  In these year groups the children are introduced to different types of families e.g. fostering, adoption, Special Guardianship and includes those with same gender parents, this is to reassure children that families are there to love and protect them.

The term ‘Trusted Adults’ and who those people are is reiterated throughout the lesson.
Time 20 minutes.

Year 4 (Age 8 – 9)

Year 5 and 6 (Age 9 – 11)

The lessons for these year groups revisit the knowledge and understanding the children have gained from previous years. The four private areas, reproduction, puberty, personal safety are revisited, and consent (permission to touch) is introduced.  The anonymous ‘Ask It Basket’ session gives the children the opportunity to ask the team what they want to know.  We actively encourage the children to ask questions as we want them to be clear on the facts rather than them finding their own answers from the internet or other children which may be incorrect and/or inappropriate content. Children are often curious about and want more details on babies, physical and emotional changes, each class is different.  Again it is important that children know who their ‘Trusted Adults’ are in school as well as at home if they want help or information about ‘Growing Up Safe’. This knowledge, understanding and confidence is vital to protect children as they move onto senior school.
Time 1 hour 10 minutes

The ‘Growing Up Safe’ Programme uses specially designed resources to give children the knowledge, understanding and confidence in how to keep safe, healthy and make smart decisions as they grow. Throughout the lessons ‘Trusted Adults’ at home and at school is reiterated so children know who they can speak to if they need help to protect them and keep them safe.  Research in this area shows that children receiving this education are three times more likely to have the confidence to speak out and keep themselves safe.

• Secondary – RSE Lessons for Life Programme

   

• Year 7 (Age 11 – 12): In secondary school, the reinforcement of previous information is critical to ensure all pupils have a good foundation, as relationship and sex education provision from feeder schools may be inconsistent. In addition, further information on personal safety, potential grooming and exploitation scenarios are delivered in a realistic but age appropriate way.

• Year 8 (Age 12 – 13): Sex and the law is introduced as a topic, identifying risky behaviour and consequences, including pregnancy myths, alcohol, technology, rights and responsibilities.  The new Government guidance also requires we define subjects covered in the media such as FGM (female genital mutilation) Honour Based Violence and Arranged Marriage.  Sexuality and  challenging homophobia should be core to any programme of education. Information on safe ways to access information about relationships and sex is crucial for teenagers, as several may have already viewed pornography at this stage. Myth busting between media and real world representations of sex and gender stereotypes is beneficial. In this age group technology and internet safety need to be reinforced and discussed.
• Year 9 (Age 13 – 14) : Topics in this age group include self esteem within relationships, confidence, communication skills and consent. We include the effect of substance misuse on  behaviour and how that may impact relationships. Contraception is covered, including the most effective methods and their local availability. Information is given on sexually transmitted infections and their effects, including long term risks, safer sex. We include condom information and practical demonstrations.  Further insight into parenthood and the effects of an unplanned pregnancy on potential mothers and fathers is discussed to inform these students.
• Year 10 (Age 14 – 15): Looking at boundaries at this age is useful, what’s the difference between flirting and sexual harassment? Identifying abusive relationships as well as identifying the elusive “perfect partner”. Further information on the realities of pregnancy and parenthood, including the physical impact of pregnancy, plus the social and economic price that young parents pay.
• Year 11 (Age 15 – 16): As with primary, the final year at secondary school is spent recapping on previous topics as well as allowing students to lead the discussion by asking anonymous questions or through open discussion.

  Click here to view specific information on sessions for each Year Group