Understanding Relationships and Sex Education at Wandle Valley Academy

Parent/Carer Consultation May 2025 Relationships and Sex and Health Education at Wandle Valley Academy

OBJECTIVES We want to: Explain the requirements for RSE and Health Education that came in from September 2020 Explain how we currently teach RSE, and get your views on how well this curriculum works Get your views on what you think our RSE curriculum should cover Explain how we ve developed our updated curriculum

WHAT ARE THE DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION RSE AND HEALTH EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS? We must provide the following to all pupils: Relationships education Health education We also have to provide sex education to pupils in the secondary phase

WHAT DOES OUR RSHE CURRICULUM LOOK LIKE NOW? In the Primaries, we cover the following topics with all pupils, in PSHE/SMSC lessons, assemblies, celebrations and awareness days, ELSA sessions and cross-curricular topics : Relationships education - Health education - Being a good friend Bullying Respecting others Rights and responsibilities Family relationships Mental wellbeing Healthy eating Exercise Personal safety (inc. online)

WHAT DOES OUR RSHE CURRICULUM LOOK LIKE NOW? In Year 6, we focus on the changes occurring during Puberty, including both physical and emotional changes, learning about hormones and their impact on the human body. We also begin to learn the basics of human reproduction and human biology, including the sex cells and development of human life, to birth.

In the Secondaries, we cover the same Primary topics with all pupils in greater depth, across the curriculum and in Personal Development sessions, but specifically cover the following topics in RSE or Science lessons: Puberty Intimate relationships Reproduction and child development Sexuality (inc LGBTQ+ and diversity) STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) All of the above are taught by subject specialists.

8. Parents/Carers right to withdraw Parents/Carers of Primary pupils do not have the right to withdraw their children from relationships education. Parents/Carers have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory components of sex education within RSE. Parents/Carers of Secondary pupils have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory components of sex education within RSE up to and until 3 terms before the child turns 16. After this point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than being withdrawn, the school will arrange this. Requests for withdrawal should be put in writing and addressed to the Headteacher. A copy of withdrawal requests will be placed in the pupil s educational record. The headteacher will discuss the request with parents and take appropriate action. Alternative work will be given to pupils who are withdrawn from sex education.

At WVA we believe it is important to encourage pupils to ask questions, as there are many myths and misunderstandings when it comes to the complicated world of relationships. The following Golden Rules must be followed: All questions must . be asked using appropriate terminology show respect and regard for others present not be personal to any individual not be asked just to amuse or cause embarrassment

Now its your turn. Do you have any questions regarding the RSE and Health curriculum? Does anything concern you about what your child will be learning? Is there anything else you think should be covered in our RSE and Health curriculum?

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? We will also obtain feedback from: Staff Pupils Academy Council (Governors) In response to this feedback, we may update our RSE policy if required, which sets out our proposed curriculum in further detail. The RSE policy can be found on our website, with information letting you know how you can feedback. If you wish to ask any further questions regarding the policy or RSE and Health curriculum, please contact me directly at kpeck@wandlevalleyacademy.org.uk