School relationship and sex education programmes
BigTalk Education's delivered school sex education programmesWorking across a wide range of educational settings, the specialist relationship and sex education facilitators at BigTalk Education delivered at over 160 schools and institutions in academic year 17/18. This section gives you a guide to our taught, school sex education programmes across a range of settings, if you would like more information please get in touch.
Which of our school sex education programmes do you want to find out about?
Primary RSE
Secondary RSE
Our RSE Lessons for Life programme is a comprehensive relationship and sex education programme for secondary schools. Covering key topics such as relationships, consent, parenthood, STIs, LGBT, CSE and many more.
RSE in Faith Schools
RSE in Special Schools
Feedback from school staff on BigTalk Education's Growing Up Safe relationship and sex education programme
What training do you offer?
- We have a range of training solutions to meet the needs of teachers, trainee teachers and other education professionals. We offer one day courses delivered face to face in the Yorkshire & Humber region. For larger groups we can come to you to deliver training, please give us a call to discuss your requirements. We also deliver lectures and workshops within university environments. In addition all of our primary Growing Up Safe ‘in school’ programmes include a session for parents and teachers that can count towards CPD hours, as well as shadow training for teachers observing our facilitators in action.
What themes are covered at what key stage?
- At age 3 (UK nursery) we teach the differences between boys and girls, naming body parts, what areas of the body are private and should not be touched unless the child is happy and gives consent.
- At ages 4 to 8 (UK Reception, School Years 1, 2 & 3) we reinforce and strengthen what was covered in Nursery. Using specially designed child friendly resources, at the end of this session they will be able to identify happy situations and those which may be risky (e.g. other children or adults taking improper photographs of them, inappropriate touches, exposure to unsuitable media etc.) plus who they can talk to if they are worried.
- At ages 8 to 9 (School Year 4, 5 & 6) we cover different kinds of families (same sex parents, foster families etc.), the emotional and physical changes of growing up, similarities and differences between boys and girls (including transgender), coping with different emotions, looking after our bodies as they change and the onset of periods (puberty). In these classes we explain that babies are made from ovums and sperm then develop in the womb (reproduction). How to be safe and healthy linking back to and building on identifiable risks, we also strengthen awareness of “our body is our own” and personal safety especially on-line grooming, etc.
Can you help ME deliver relationship and sex education in my school as I don’t think we can afford outside specialists?
- iIf you are a primary school then yes. Our resources are available to buy here, however for schools delivering RSE independently we recommend the resources are accompanied by staff training for a minimum of two school staff. In our accompanying training day we cover many aspects of RSE that newcomers or those with outdated training often overlook. Some schools also choose to buy a class set of Bodies, Babies and Bellybuttons books which are a great support for the Growing Up Safe: Whole School Approach.
- For secondary schools we offer staff training plus some of our Workshop Packs are available to purchase from our Resources page. These packs include all you need to deliver the session; Lesson Plan, background information, a powerpoint presentation, and relevant quizzes, answer sheets etc. All worksheets are suitable for photocopying so the pack will continue to be viable for several years..
Can you help me answer questions from the pupils and parents after you go?
- Some schools find that pupils and parents will raise further questions after BigTalk education visits. We find most teachers who have been to the parent/teacher session and/or taken part in shadow training observing our facilitators are confident in answering parent and pupil questions.
- However, we also offer a telephone consultancy for teacher support (usually this is used primarily for disclosure assistance) which is included free as part of an enhanced Growing Up Safe programme.
Do you cover my area?
- You can see on Our Schools page where we are currently active. We are able to travel to schools all over the UK, however we add associated travel costs to our fees to schools outside our core area of Yorkshire & Humber.
Do you speak to parents?
- In line with government and Ofsted guidelines we actively engage with parents in our Growing Up Safe: Whole School Approach programme. We hold a minimum of one parent session prior to coming into school to show parents and carers our resources and explain what each age group of children will receive. We stay for one to one questions with parents, which is more comfortable for most than a group discussion. It is our policy to stay at these sessions until every parent’s questions has been answers and they are a satisfied as they ever will be to the response.
- For incidents of inappropriate behaviour or other causes for concerns we offer one to one sessions for individual children or young people. These referrals can come from schools, children’s centres or directly from parents. Whenever a one to one take places we endeavour to ensure our staff member also speaks directly with the child’s parent(s) to discuss the issues at hand and update them on what happened in the session.
Children/a child at our school are/is using inappropriate language/displaying inappropriate behaviour, can you help?
- If multiple incidents are occurring in a school population such as frequent use of a particular inappropriate word or a ‘game’ of touching sweeping the playground it can often indicate that there is an immediate requirement for a whole school programme of RSE such as the Growing Up Safe: Whole School Approach.
- If inappropriacy is confined to an individual or if the source of a wider ‘trend’ is discovered, we recommend one to one sessions in addition to the whole school approach, to ensure the child fully understands what is okay and not okay. Use of inappropriate language or behaviour may be indicative of abuse or early stage indicators such as exposure to pornography, therefore immediate one to one intervention is recommended. If you suspect a child may be being abused please refer to your school’s child protection policy, Safeguarding lead or if still in doubt the government guidelines on what to do.
What should I put in our school RSE policy?
- At present RSE Policies should be in accordance with the Department for Education guidelines published in February 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education
- As from September 2020. Relationship & Sex Education will be statutory in all Schools .
- As part of the Growing Up Safe: Whole School Approach programme BigTalk Education will provide a free example RSE policy for partner schools.
What is in the new statutory guidance?
- The new RSE guidance is currently only in draft form. However it does not give a year by year programme of study, but says that learning needs to start at the beginning of primary.
- There is no table listing what is included in sex education for primary school. However, there is a paragraph recommending that all primary schools have a programme of sex education which includes preparing pupils for the changes adolescence brings and learning how a baby is conceived and born.
- Puberty is included in Health education.
- The proposal is that parents will only be able to excuse their child from the sex education part of the curriculum (but not from national curriculum Science), not from Relationships Education at either level.
What do OFSTED require when it comes to RSE and how can you help us be Outstanding?
- In its 2013 Report PSHE, Not Yet Good Enough Ofsted were quite explicit about what they expected to see in Schools.
"This is our second year with the programme and we wanted to roll this out across the whole school. The sessions were thoroughly informative dealing with issues sensitively but openly. The programme covered a lot of ground effectively. Our children are now confident, knowledgeable and will hopeful grow to be respectful adults once again, a great job. Thank you for spending the day with us."
"The materials used are at an informative level, without being inappropriate. The language used by the team was at the children's' level so they were able to understand. The children were put at ease, to answer and ask questions. The section on reproduction was very well discussed and paced, to inform the children about sexual relationships, as too were the puberty and period sections. Very good tutors!"
"One of the best talks on this subject area I have experienced in my teaching career. The instructors were very relaxed and this created a relaxed and open environment."
"High quality delivery which is completely age appropriate, also includes e-safety, transgender, gay, lesbian – essential knowledge."
Feedback from parents on BigTalk Education's Growing Up Safe relationship and sex education programme
"With our two boys I have been concerned about talking to them as we are a same sex couple, but now I feel supported by the school and have a great book resource. Thank you."
September 2018
"Great talk, beforehand I was unsure how much they should know at such young age, and was worried they were expected to know more. I’m very reassured now that the delivery of this information will be informed and appropriate and I am now prepared for any questions that will arise from the classroom talk."
April 2018
"I think this is fantastic. The age appropriateness makes it not OTT but gives them the right information which is so important."
September 2018
"Great idea, this should've been implemented years ago! Nice, relaxed delivery, very good!"
September 2018
BigTalk Education Case Studies
Hatchell Wood Primary Academy
We met 30 parents during our second visit to Hatchell Wood Primary Academy in Doncaster and the feedback received from both parents and staff was great! The children had remembered much of what they had been taught last year which was fantastic. As a result we were...
Pocklington Prep School
Having worked with Pocklington School since 2016 it is always a pleasure to return and see some familiar faces. The support we received from the parents and staff during our visit was fantastic, so thank you! Parent feedback "I really enjoyed this presentation, very...
Wilberfoss C of E Primary School
This was our first visit to Wilberfoss Primary School. Our team were made to feel very welcome by Kris Henderson, the Head Teacher and his Staff. We met with 33 parents, many of whom fed back their views on the importance of our Growing Up Safe Programme and the need...
Bedwell Primary School
This being our third year in Bedwell Primary School the Parents and staff now have high levels of confidence in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction. Parent feedback "Very good presentation, it's always a nervous time when our...
Walkeringham Primary
It was nice to be welcomed at Walkeringham Primary School for our first visit. We had a good turn out of school staff and parents to our evening session prior to our delivery and received some positive responses from both parties. We hope to return next year to build...
Ashton St Peters Primary
Another warm welcome was received at Ashton St Peters for the third year. We had another great turn out of staff and parents prior to our delivery. This is excellent as it ensures all parties have the confidence to continue the necessary conversations after our visit...
Wroot Travis Charity C of E
Parents and staff at Wroot Travis now have high levels of confidence in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction.Parent feedback "The presentation was really informative and has allowed us to build on and backup the discussions that...
St Francis Xavier
Parents and staff at Sir Francis Xavier now feel more confident in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction.Parent feedback "The session was fantastic, what a great way of educating our children. I am really pleased you are bringing...
The Grange Primary School
After a great turnout at the parents session, parents and staff at The Grange Primary School are now more confidence in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction.Parent feedback "Comforting knowing what to discuss and in what detail...
Ormiston South Parade
Parents and staff at Ormiston South Parade Academy now have high levels of confidence in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction.Parent feedback "I feel this has been a good starting point to help me explain to my son about the...
Secondary RSE Case Study
Confidence in CSE topic area Before lesson : 70% After Lesson : 100%An Introduction to the Programme In 2016 Barnardo’s conducted a survey of over 1,000 young people aged between 11-15 years old, of these 74% said that all children would be safer if they had sex...
Bowmandale Primary School
Having worked with Bowmandale Primary School since 2014 it is always nice to return and see some familiar faces. During our visit we witnessed fabulous behaviour from the pupils, we noticed good retention and were delighted with the support we received from the staff,...
Lincoln Gardens Primary School
It was our fourth year visiting Lincoln Gardens, so great to see high levels of confidence from staff and parents. Due to the continued support from the staff and parents we were pleased to lead two parent sessions, both with excellent representation from across the...
Pocklington School
It was our second year visiting Pocklington School and it was great to see great parent engagement with 21 parents attending our evening session. Parent's confidence levels were excellent following the session with 94% feeling happier to talk to their children about...
Intake Primary Academy
It was our first year at Intake and it was fabulous to be asked back for next year at the end of the day, due to excellent staff feedback! The parents session was lively and involved parents from different countries and cultures, which created lots of interesting...
Parkgate House School
After several visits to Parkgate House School it was great to see lots of the children from year 1 now in year 6 and ready to move on. Seeing how their confidence in discussing the relevant topics in Relationship and Sex Education has grown, was really...
Owston Park Primary
It was our fourth year visiting Owston Park Primary, so great to see high levels of confidence from staff and parents. Due to the continued support from the staff and parents we were pleased with excellent representation from across the school.Parent feedback "All...
Barton St Peter’s School
Parents and staff at Barton St Peter's now have high levels of confidence in talking to the children about relationships, their bodies and reproduction.Parent feedback "Really useful session to attend, wouldn't have known where to start when our son started to ask...
Woodlands Primary School
This was our second visit to Woodlands Primary. The warm reception received by our staff was appreciated! Both Parents and Teachers were very complimentary of our delivery and it was nice to hear that the children had remembered some much of what they had learnt from...
St Peter’s Catholic Primary
We met 38 parents during our first visit to St Peter's Catholic Primary in Doncaster and the reception we had was fantastic from both parents and staff alike. Many of the parents bought copies of our book Bodies, Babies and Bellybuttons as they were keen to ensure...
Hadrian Academy
As our first school of the academic year, it is always lovely to visit our friends at Hadrian's Academy in Dunstable, yet again this year we had a fabulous turn out of over 40 parents and staff at the parents' session. Parents' feedback "Excellent session, it has been...
