Primary RSE:
Our Growing Up Safe ProgrammeAt BigTalk Education we are incredibly proud of our award winning Growing Up Safe programme, which was a Finalist for the Children and Young People Now 2018 Safeguarding award. The Whole School Approach is our most popular option, where our specialist team of facilitators work with pupils, parents and school staff. This high quality, age appropriate RSE programme is designed to keep children safe, healthy and happy.
An Introduction to the Growing Up Safe programme
Children want their parents to be the first people to talk to them about growing up, sex and relationships. Yet many parents say they lack confidence to answer their children’s questions frankly, so Schools should be there to help and BigTalk Education are here to support Schools and Teachers. Members of the BigTalk Team can come into your School for a part or whole day, ensuring your children (and Parents) are well educated to keep them safe, healthy and happy!
Our Growing Up Safe : Whole School Approach programme covers children from Nursery to Year 6 and includes Parents and School Staff. In 2017 BigTalk Education was awarded the Pamela Sheridan award by the FPA (Family Planning Association) the highest accolade in Sex Education, of which we are immensely proud!
We travel across the UK delivering our Growing Up Safe Whole School Approach and find that school staff and parents appreciate our specialist expertise to help establish a common language within school to talk about bodies, growing up and sex in an age appropriate manner.
Feedback from school staff on BigTalk Education's Growing Up Safe relationship and sex education programme
What training do you offer?
- We offer a range of Primary and Secondary RSE training solutions to meet the needs of teachers, trainee teachers and other education professionals. Get in touch to see how we can help.
What themes are covered at what key stage?
- At age 3 (UK nursery) we teach the differences between boys and girls; naming body parts using the correct scientific words; the private areas of the body; and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touches.
- At ages 4 to 6 (UK Reception, School Years 1 & 2 ) we reinforce and strengthen what was covered in Nursery. Using specially designed, child friendly resources and in a calm, open and fun environment, the children are taught how to identify happy situations within relationships, and those which may be risky (e.g., other children or adults taking improper photographs of them, inappropriate touches, exposure to unsuitable media etc.) Throughout the session children are encouraged to join in and reassured that they have people that they can talk to if they are worried.
- Ages 7 to 8 (School Year 3) the children are taught: the differences between boys and girls, naming body parts using the correct scientific words, and the private areas of the body. Using specially designed child friendly resources and in a calm, open, fun environment, children will be able to identify happy situations within relationships, and those which may be risky (e.g., other children or adults taking improper photographs of them, appropriate and inappropriate touches, exposure to unsuitable media etc.) Throughout the session children are encouraged to join in and reassured that they have people that they can talk to if they are worried.
- Ages 8 to 9 (School Year 4) we build on the Year 3 information and also cover different kinds of families, similarities and differences between boys and girls. We also include the emotional and physical changes of growing up (puberty), how babies are made, then develop in the womb etc. (reproduction). Also discussed is, how to look after our bodies and be safe and healthy.
- At ages 8 to 9 (School Year 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 an ovum and a 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.
(Information at this stage is vital to protect them as they move onto Secondary School and to provide an alternative information they may find on the internet.)
Can you help me deliver relationship and sex education in my school as I don’t think we can afford outside specialists?
- If you are a primary school then yes. Our resources are available to buy on-line 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. Contact us for more information.
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.
Do you cover my area?
- 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 offer each of our schools access to our on-line age specific presentations. These are to be shared with School staff, parents and carers to give an introduction to BigTalk, our delivery and the resources used. Any questions which arise having watched these can be directed to our office on admin@bigtalkeducation.co.uk.
- 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 available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1090195/Relationships_Education_RSE_and_Health_Education.pdf
- BigTalk Educations's Growing up Safe Programme meets with all of the government guidance giving you peace of mind that you have met with all of the statutory requirements.
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.
(We are currently awaiting further updates on this guidance from government.
We are currently awaiting further updates on this guidance from government.
"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."
Programme elements
Find out about individual elements we provide as part of the Pamela Sheridan award winning Growing Up Safe: Whole School Approach programme.
Growing Up Safe Foundation & KS1 Resources
Equip your school with outstanding resources used by award winning RSE providers, allowing staff to deliver to students independently, whether to full class groups or individuals who miss BigTalk’s lessons. Ensuring 100% pupil participation. Shop now >
Off Site Staff Training
Give staff members an introduction to what is required for an excellent RSE programme. From policy to delivery, this will enable staff to be key advocates for RSE and its integration into your school.
Parents Session Delivered by BigTalk Education Staff
Give parents the opportunity to discuss the content of the RSE lessons with the BigTalk staff. Minimising withdrawals and encouraging dialogue at home arounds RSE topics. View feedback >
Staff CPD Training
Certificates provided for all school staff that attend a staff training session which can count towards CPD hours, as well as evidence for Ofsted of child safeguarding strategy. Can be used towards an IIP submission.
Specialist RSE Delivered by BigTalk Education
The BigTalk Education team work directly with children to foster an atmosphere of calm and clarity delivering sensitive information, in a manner that is 100% age appropriate. This takes pressure off the teaching staff to allow them to focus on follow up & reinforcement.
Staff CPD Shadow Training
Supplementary certificate to evidence teacher shadow training in quality age appropriate RSE provision during BigTalk Education’s delivery day. This is useful to demonstrate additional training for Ofsted as well as benefit individual staff members in their career development.
Lesson Extension Ideas
Aid teaching staff to test pupil recall and reinforce key messages from the Growing Up Safe programme throughout the school year. Demonstrate an integrated approach to the RSE curriculum, through scheduled lessons.
Follow Up Pack for Ofsted
Allows the school to benchmark and evidence the impact of the BigTalk Education involvement at school. Demonstrating that parent and pupils questions are answered and teacher confidence increases.
Evaluation Report for Ofsted
This option gives the greatest level of detail possible including qualitative pupil feedback, further evidence for Ofsted and analysis of impact including statistical confidence review.
‘Understanding Your Tweenager’ Parents’ Worksop
Give the parents of your Key Stage 2 children additional support to aid them in relating to their children in today’s society. Allowing school to ensure their KS2 children are best placed to make the big move up to KS3 through stimulating empathy, understanding and support.
Addition One to Ones for Vulnerable or SEND Children
Ensure that any pupils of concern have full specialist provision tailored to their specific educational needs, making sure that the most vulnerable pupils are safe, healthy and happy. Find out more >
RSE Policy Guidance
Have piece of mind that your school has in place a robust RSE policy, that will exceed government requirements. Know that you will deliver RSE in line with the policy and be able to provide evidence to support this for inspectors or key stakeholders.