Sex & Relationships

We believe that Sex Education should contribute to each child's personal growth, development and capacity for pleasure and for caring and loving relationships.

Sex Education is taught as part of our programme of Health Education, which spans Year 7 to 13. This is currently taught mainly through Science and the Tutor Programme.

The Sex Education programme provides:

- comprehensive information about human sexual behaviour and relationships which is appropriate to the student's age.

- help to students in understanding and coming to terms with their own developing sexuality in ways that enable them to feel comfortable about their sexual desires, needs and identity.

- Help to students in developing a moral framework for themselves within which they can make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual behaviour and relationships.

Sex and Relationships Education : Policy

Working together to recognise the value and realise the potential of each student

The Angmering School is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all students and to prepare them for adult life.

In order to achieve this goal we take time to ensure that students' emotional and social development is healthy. This involves encouraging the students to develop a positive self-image and self confidence as well as ensuring they can develop positive relationships with others.

All staff are engaged in supporting students? development and do so within the agreed guidelines. The policy is reviewed regularly and any changes to policy and practice are implemented promptly.

Definition
- The term 'sex' includes the development of the body during puberty and the relevant changes. It covers sexual intercourse, conception and contraception. It also encompasses the understanding of students' developing sexuality which enables them to feel comfortable about their sexual identity, desires and needs.
- The term 'relationships' includes relationships with peers and adults both current and future. It covers the family and includes marriage as well as divorce.

Key Personnel:

The Governors:

- Agree the Sex and Relationships Education Policy and monitor its implementation
- The Curriculum Committee monitors the work of the school
- The Student Support Committee supports the work of the school with individual students as appropriate

The Headship Team:

- Monitors the implementation of the Sex and Relationships Education Policy
- Supports and advises on Sex and Relationships issues
- Ensures the delivery of the curriculum
- Ensures that the policy is regularly updated to take account of new national or local guidelines

The Headteacher (or designated Child Protection Officer) ensures that:

- If a disclosure is made due consideration is given as to whether it is a Child Protection issue.
- Statutory and LEA guidelines are followed and liaison with Social Services and/or the Education Welfare Officer takes place when required
- The policy is reviewed, updated and ratified by governors
- Accurate and detailed information is recorded by the necessary parties and kept in confidential files as necessary

Year Team Leaders ensure that:
- The Group Tutors are aware of the relevant procedures involving a disclosure
- Relevant issues are covered in the Personal, Social and Health Education lessons
- They create an atmosphere within their year group which encourages the students to seek support when necessary
- Each member of their year group is valued as an individual

Group Tutors ensure that:
- They refer to their line manager for advice when a tutee makes a disclosure
- They do not promise confidentiality to any of their tutees
- The relevant issues are delivered through the Personal, Social and Health Education lessons
- An atmosphere of support is created within the tutor group which encourages students to discuss the relevant issues
- Each student is valued as an individual in order to raise their self esteem

All teachers ensure that:
- They are familiar with the new laws involving children, in the Sexual Offences Act
- They refer to the Sex and Relationships Education Policy
- They refer to their line manager for advice when a student makes a disclosure
- They do not promise confidentiality to any student
- The relevant issues are delivered through their curriculum when possible
- Their classroom management allows students to contribute opinions with ease

All staff ensure that:
- They refer to the Sex and Relationships Education Policy
- They value each student as an individual
- Any disclosure is referred to their line manager for advice
- Access to precise information about local confidential contraceptive advice is available

Links with other policies
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Child Protection

Success Criteria for Policy
- Disclosures are handled sensitively, within the Guidelines
- The curriculum gives opportunities for emotional and social development as well as ensuring the delivery of knowledge
- Students feel confident to talk to teachers or are given clear information on alternative sources of advice and help

This policy has been written in accordance with the Sex and Relationship Education Guidance DfEE 0116/2000 (DfEE 200)with advice received from Sue Tregear (The West Sussex Healthy School Sex and Relationship Co-ordinator)

Sex and Relationships Education : Policy Guidelines

Guidelines

Definition
- The term 'sex' includes the development of the body during puberty and the relevant changes. It covers sexual intercourse, conception and contraception. It also encompasses the understanding of students? developing sexuality which enables them to feel comfortable about their sexual identity, desires and needs.
- The term ?relationships? includes relationships with peers and adults both current and future.

General Principles:
- Sex and Relationships Education is delivered in accordance to the moral and values frameworks of the school. This is based on our mission statement, the Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship Frameworks, the National Curriculum Handbook and is informed by consultation with parents and students
- Sex and Relationships Education is taught in the context of relationships. In particular sex is explored as part of loving and committed relationships with due reference to the law and taking account of our multi-cultural society
- Sex and Relationships Education promotes self-esteem and emotional well-being to help students to form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships based on respect for themselves and others in all walks of life
- The Angmering School creates a culture whereby students can discuss their feelings openly
- Students are actively encouraged to feel confident enough to discuss their feelings and ask questions , knowing that their viewpoint will be valued
- The Angmering School uses a variety of support mechanisms for vulnerable students during lessons in order to support those with varying needs
- Staff offer the students support during conversations, respecting confidentiality within the guidelines of our Child Protection Policy
- Staff refer to the relevant sections in the Staff Diary on a regular basis and refer to the policies when necessary
- Staff offer the students an honest, unbiased viewpoint when delivering the topic in the curriculum
- The personal and social aspects of the Citizenship Curriculum underpin the delivery of the topic
- Lessons are given in mixed-sex groups and emphasise student involvement through group work and discussion. Where appropriate, single-sex goups may be formed
- Sex Education is taught by teachers who know their groups well and, when appropriate, external professionals are asked to contribute. In these instances the visiting speaker is briefed on our school guidelines
- Teachers use their professional judgement when students raise issues of an explicit or sensitive nature involving parents, as and when necessary.