St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School
Relationship and Sex Education Policy
“Christ is at the centre of all that we do and our standards are based on the
teachings of His Gospel.
With God’s help our School community will try to grow in knowledge,
understanding, love of God and one another.
Each person is valued as an individual and offered opportunities to develop
their spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, emotional and social gifts to their
full potential’. (Mission statement)
Introduction
We have based this policy on the DFE guidance document Sex and Relationship
Education Guidance (ref DFEE 0116/2000). In this document, sex education is
defined as ‘learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is
about understanding the importance of family life and stable and loving
relationships. It is also about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health’.
We have also used Diocesan guidance (2012) to formulate this policy.
Sex education in this school is taught within the context of the personal, social
and health education curriculum. We do not use sex education as a means of
promoting any form of sexual orientation.
Aims
At St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School we aim to promote:
 An understanding of the mental and physical development experienced
by pupils
 A preparation for the responsibilities and experiences of adult life
 The value of personal cleanliness and good hygiene
 The importance of family life
 Respect for their own bodies and an understanding of sexual activity as
part of a committed, long-term and loving relationship
1
Pupil Objectives
At the end of their time at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School, pupils will
demonstrate:
 Respect for one another and adults
 An understanding of commitment and trust
 A recognition of the differences between male and female and the way
humans reproduce
 An understanding of the role and guidance of the church within this area
Staff Objectives
Staff are expected to:
 Model and encourage the values of caring relationships
 Answer questions truthfully but at an appropriate level
Class Organisation
As an aid to educating the child in the ways of personal development and
personal relationships the school has purchased ‘A Journey in Love’.
This is a developmental programme for children in the primary years, devised
for Catholic schools, which meets the Diocesan guidelines.
The scheme was adopted after discussion with parents, staff and Governors.
A Journey in Love
This resource has as its foundational premise that we are made in the image
and likeness of God and, as a consequence, gender and sexuality are God’s gift,
reflect God’s beauty and share in the divine creativity. In order that children
may grow and develop healthily and holistically towards an understanding of
their gender and its implications for successful relationships, they must be at
ease with themselves and grow in self knowledge.
Children are encouraged to marvel at the wonder and beauty of God’s creative
love. This is reflected in each stage of a person’s growth in the primary years
through a series of suggested, progressive and developmental tasks, activities
and reflections which focus on physical, social, emotional, intellectual and
spiritual development.
This programme will be used in all classes within the PSHE curriculum and
enhanced and complemented by the RE Scheme of work –‘God Matters’, our
science curriculum and PE.
2
In science at Key Stage 1 we teach about how animals, including humans,
move, feed, grow and reproduce, we also teach about the main parts of the
body. Children learn to appreciate the differences between people and how to
show respect to each other.
In Key Stage 2 we teach about life processes and the main stages of the human
life cycle in greater depth. The sex education sessions for Year 5/6 children are
taught by the class teacher.
As well as using ‘A Journey in Love’ the school may use parts of the ‘All About
Us Living and Growing’ resources produced by Channel Four and recommended
by Gloucestershire County council. Topics include; Body changes, coping with
adolescence and sexual relations.
Pupils will have plenty of time to discuss these issues and others that arise out
of confidential questions. The sessions are of an informal nature. Following
some adult led exposition; pupils are invited to ask questions .In light of the
nature of these topics, the school arranges for the children to split into gender
groups. Teachers do their best to answer all questions with sensitivity and care.
It is our aim that students feel confident and comfortable when asking
questions both in class and around school. In most cases, student’s questions
will be answered openly and honestly. However, on occasion, students may ask
questions that are not appropriate i.e. questions about a teacher’s personal life
or of a sensitive nature.
Teachers will develop a supportive climate in their classroom, with clearly
defined ways of working and the appropriate language to use.
The School will use a differentiated approach to teaching Y5/6 children; Year 5
children will learn about the physical changes to the body. This will be
reinforced and extended in Year 6. While sex education means that we give
children information about sexual behaviour, we do this with an awareness of
moral codes and values and the gospel teachings, which underpin all our work
in school. In particular, we believe that sex education should be taught in the
context of a loving relationship, ideally marriage.
The role of the Parents
The school is well aware that the primary role in children’s sex education lies
with parents and carers. We wish to build a positive and supporting
relationship through mutual understanding, trust and co-operation. In
promoting this objective, parents are informed of forthcoming sex education
sessions. They are invited to review the teaching resources and ask questions
of the Head Teacher.
Parents are entitled to withdraw their children from the sessions provided
they do so in writing. They should discuss this with the Head Teacher, and
make it clear which aspects of the programme they do not wish their child to
3
participate in. The School always complies with the wishes of the parents in this
regard.
The role of the Head Teacher
It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher to ensure that both staff and
parents are informed about our Relationship and Sex Education policy, and that
the policy is implemented effectively
Other Issues
The School follows the Diocesan Guidelines on child abuse concerns and HIV
disclosure and sexuality issues.
Monitoring and Review
The Head Teacher monitors this policy on a regular basis. The Standards
Committee monitors the policy on an annual basis reporting its findings and
recommendations to the full governing body. The Committee gives serious
consideration to any comments from parents about the sex education
programme, and makes a record of all such comments.
This Policy will be reviewed in line with the School Development Plan.
Discussed by Staff and Governors
May 2013
Approved by Governors:
Signature: _______________________
4