Infant and Junior School RSE Policy

This policy applies to all children in the Infant and Junior School, including the EYFS; our curriculum and provision takes into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all our children.

PLEASE NOTE THIS POLICY IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW WITH THE PSHE TEAM

Rationale

Our Fusion Curriculum delivers a unique offer that will equip the children with secure wide-ranging foundations of knowledge linked with knowledge-based skills. In addition, it will develop strategies and skills which bolster and enhance their positive mindset and well-being, as well as foster the expansion of transferable life skills. The stimulating practical-rich, explorative and investigative approach of the cross-curricular Fusion Curriculum encourages a climate for children to explore ways in which to learn with originality and purpose. It encourages creative, critical and reflective thinking and produces excited, enthusiastic, enquiry-driven learners.

Purpose

Sheffield Girls’ Infant and Junior School believes that RSE gives the children essential life skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitative relationships and staying safe both on and offline. RSE allows Sheffield Girls’ to safeguard and support pupils, building their knowledge and life skills over time in a way that prepares them for issues they may face. Throughout their time at the school we will also explore moral questions and dilemmas, relationship issues and the importance of family life. We will also teach them respect for the views of others. RSE also helps school fulfil its duty to protect, safeguard and promote the wellbeing of our pupils.

Scope

• To help and support young people through their emotional, physical and moral development: improving pupils’ self-esteem and their sensitivity and sense of responsibility towards others.
• To nurture a responsible attitude towards personal relationships including aspects of mutual respect and care.
• To develop sensitivity towards the needs of others.
• To provide knowledge of loving relationships, and the need for honesty and loyalty in relationships.
• To inform children on matters of personal hygiene and related health issues.
• To teach the fundamentals of puberty and human reproduction.
• To educate against discrimination and prejudice.
• To empower children to make informed choices about relationships and the issues presented in the world around them.
• To develop confidence in talking, listening and thinking about their feelings, opinions and relationships.
• To increase awareness of their safety on and offline.
  • To consider the routines and patterns of a typical day
  • To understand why hygiene is important
  • To recognise that all families are different
• To understand some basic hygiene principles
• To introduce the concept of growing and changing
• To explore different types of families and who to ask for help
• To introduce the concept of male and female and gender stereotypes
• To identify differences between male and females
• To explore some of the differences between males and females and to understand how this is part of the life cycle
• To focus on sexual difference and name the body parts
• To explore some of the differences between males and females and to name the body parts
• To consider touch and know that a person has the right to say what they like and dislike
• To explore different types of families and who to go to for help and support
• To explore the human life cycle
• To explore the emotional and physical changes of puberty
• To explore the impact of puberty on the body and the importance of personal hygiene
• To understand male and female changes during puberty in more detail
• To explore ways to get support during puberty
• To identify some basic facts about puberty
• To explore how puberty is linked to reproduction
• To consider puberty and reproduction
• To consider physical and emotional behaviour in relationships
• To consider positive and negative ways of communicating in a relationship

Teaching & Learning

Whilst many aspects of the RSE programme are firmly embedded in the PSHE and Science schemes of work, it is a unique programme. The content is delivered by class teachers in both the Infant and Juniors School with assistance from the school nurse and in-house help so that it is able to help young people learn to respect themselves and others, and move with confidence from childhood, through adolescence to adulthood.

The school ensures that effective RSE is available to all pupils. Parents are informed about our programme and are invited to discuss the materials and teaching with our teachers. The teaching of RSE takes into account the needs of individual pupils and takes their cultures, faiths and family backgrounds into consideration. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the relationship aspect of RSE lessons, based on their beliefs and feelings, (pupils will be allocated to another class and given appropriate work), however specific RSE science lessons are compulsory.

The PSHE leader is responsible for co-ordinating RSE in the Infant and Junior School which is delivered through circle time, form time, science and PSHE lessons by the class teacher. Liaison with the Senior department is carried out through meetings between the PHSE Leader in the Junior School and the Head of PSHE in the Senior School.

EDI

When delivering RSE, teachers recognise that young people vary in attitudes, values, experience, levels of maturity, home environments and religious/cultural backgrounds. RSE teachers use a range of strategies to bring about effective learning, including establishing ground rules (agreed by pupils themselves), using engagement techniques (role-plays, games and videos) and making use of discussion, project learning and encouraging reflection.

Planning and Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of effective teaching and learning. It allows progress to be recognised and celebrated and it informs the next steps and priorities. Two broad areas for assessment:

a) Children’s knowledge and understanding

b) How well children can apply this knowledge and understanding in developing skills and attitudes and dealing with real life situations.

It should not be a judgement on the worth, personality or value of an individual child or their family. Attention should be given to the learning objectives provided by the PSHE Association, in line with the National Curriculum guidance. The RSE lessons are evidenced in a class PHSE book.

The PSHE coordinator will do learning walks, planning scrutiny and pupil voice surveys throughout the year to ensure that all year groups are teaching PSHE to a high standard and the coverage is correct.

Digital Learning

ICT is used as a tool for learning throughout the school. In RSE, children are given the opportunity to use ICT to support, extend, and promote aspects of RSE.