This policy covers Co-op Academy Bebington’s approach to Relationship and Sex Education (RSE). It was written by Lucy Forber (PSHCE Coordinator) and Lisa Hesketh (Line Manager), in consultation with staff, parents/carers and students. It will be used by teachers to guide their lesson planning, parents to look for the curriculum content, and external health professionals to understand our procedures.

RSE will support the Co-op Academy’s Trust’s ‘Ways of Being’; ‘do what matters most’, ‘be yourself, always’, ‘show you care’ and ‘succeed together’. Furthermore, it will underpin their curriculum intent which states ‘when a child leaves one of our academies they will know how to keep themselves safe and healthy’. It will also reinforce one of Co-op Academy Bebington’s principles which is to ‘embrace healthy living so that all students are physically, emotionally and mentally enabled to excel and achieve their dreams’. All of this contributes towards our school vision of ‘Shaping Exceptional Futures’.

Co-op Academy Bebington will teach RSE in context, and in an age appropriate, inclusive, supportive and non-judgemental manner at all times.

Aims

The overall aim of RSE at Co-op Academy Bebington is to give students the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds (friendships, family, strangers), and not just intimate relationships. Other aims are to:-

Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
Prepare students for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
Help students develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
Teach students the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies
Ensure students are clear on their rights and responsibilities in relation to sex, relationships and the law

Students will recognise how to understand and build healthy relationships, including self- respect and respect for others, commitment, tolerance, boundaries and consent, how to manage conflict, and how to recognise unhealthy relationships. RSE involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity. It is not about the promotion of sexual activity.

Students will learn what makes a good friend, a good colleague and a successful marriage or other type of committed relationship. RSE will also cover contraception, developing

intimate relationships, resisting pressure to have sex (and not applying pressure), and teaching what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships.

Our broad programme of RSE will prepare students for the realities of the modern world and will help keep them safe. It will protect them from the dangers of exploitation and abuse, as well as providing them with the knowledge and skills to develop healthy and fulfilling relationships, and look after their sexual and reproductive health, free from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

Overview of Statutory Requirements

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 makes RSE and Health Education compulsory in all secondary schools from September 2020. These legislative commitments will help ensure all children and young people regardless of the school they attend, are provided with age appropriate knowledge and information to build healthy and safe relationships into adulthood. The Department for Education (DfE) published statutory guidance for RSE and Health Education in June 2019. Ofsted Inspectors will take into account the new legislation and guidance for schools in relation to PSHCE/RSE in determining its inspection arrangements. PSHCE/RSE might therefore be a focus of inspections in providing evidence for key judgements, particularly ‘Personal Development’.

RSE at Co-op Academy Bebington will comply with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, which state that schools must promote equality of opportunity and take positive steps to prevent any form of discrimination, either direct or indirect, against those with protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity). Our RSE programme is sensitive to the possibly complex backgrounds of individual students. All opinions are heard, challenged and developed safely and inclusively.

Maintained schools are required to teach the National Curriculum for Science and Religious Education, and some RSE content will be delivered through these subjects. There is no right to withdraw from the sex education element of National Curriculum Science (see Withdrawal section).

Content

Current Curriculum Requirements

By making RSE statutory, the DfE recognises that age-appropriate RSE teaching is key in keeping children and young people safe and healthy, and can provide them with the information they need to stay safe and build resilience against the risks of exploitation.

Below is a list of the statutory RSE content, which we cover as part of a wider PSHCE programme:-

Families
Respectful relationships including friendships
Online and media
Being safe
Intimate and sexual relationships including sexual health

The link below shows the full list of statutory RSE content (p27-29)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/80578 1/Relationships_Education Relationships_and_Sex_Education RSE and_Health_Education.pdf

National Curriculum Science

Biological aspects of RSE are taught within the National Curriculum for Science, as all maintained secondary schools must teach sex education that falls within this to all students.

Key Stage 3 covers:-

Male and female reproductive systems, including the menstrual cycle (without details of hormones)

Key Stage 4 (and those studying GCSE subject content) covers:-

Sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and how such diseases may be reduced or prevented
The roles of hormones in human reproduction, including the menstrual cycle
The use of hormones in contraception
Modern reproductive technologies to treat infertility
Evaluating hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception

Delivery

Delivery Forums

At Co-op Academy Bebington, RSE is taught within our Personal, Social, Health, Careers and Economic (PSHCE) education curriculum. It is delivered during form tutor time where two sessions per week will be dedicated to PSHCE/RSE. Form tutors will deliver a thirty minute lesson on a variety of topics and issues that link to the RSE curriculum. All lesson plans and resources are provided by the PSHCE Coordinator and are available for form tutors to access via a shared Google Drive. Additionally, some aspects of RSE may be delivered by our RSE staff team rather than form tutors. No form tutor will be expected to deliver any content against their will, and any concerns they have should be raised with the PSHCE Coordinator who can support delivery, or with a member of our RSE team (Mr Gibson, Ms Rickers, Mr McDonald, Mr Siddall and Miss Barnes). If after this form tutors still have concerns, they should then be raised with the Headteacher.

All RSE schemes of work are age appropriate and developmentally appropriate and allow students to develop their own opinions and understanding of complex and engaging topics. They are delivered in an open and non-judgemental manner and allow scope for students to ask questions in a safe environment so they are fully informed. Staff will endeavour to answer questions as honestly as possible but if faced with a question they

do not feel comfortable answering within the classroom, provision will be made to meet the individual student’s needs. This may involve referring them back to their parents/carers, school health advisor/school nurse, or a young person’s health drop-in service for an answer. Alternatively the member of staff could seek advice from the PSHCE Coordinator or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). When teaching RSE staff will use approaches such as distancing techniques, setting ground rules with the class to help manage sensitive discussion, and question boxes to allow students to raise issues anonymously. Students are provided with a question and answer booklet which they complete as they are taught different topics.

To enhance the RSE programme, each year group has one ‘Drop Down Day’ per academic year. This is to strengthen students' practical application of skills and provide a deeper learning experience. External speakers may deliver some of these RSE sessions. However, Co-op Academy Bebington staff will always manage this learning and be present at all times during sessions. The PSHCE Coordinator will be off timetable, and the Pastoral Leader will also be available to support students throughout the day.

Assemblies may be used to deliver RSE content to complement the weekly topics delivered during form time. They are delivered by Co-op Academy Bebington staff or external speakers. As previously mentioned, some elements of RSE will be delivered by individual subject areas such as Science and Religious Education.

Meeting the needs of all our students

RSE lessons will be planned so that students of differing abilities, including the most able and those with additional needs, can access the learning and are suitably challenged. We are mindful of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice when planning for RSE so that it is accessible for all students. We know some students are more vulnerable due to the nature of their SEND and this is taken into consideration when planning and teaching RSE. However, high quality teaching that is differentiated and personalised is the starting point to ensure accessibility. For a small number of students it may be more appropriate to deliver RSE content in small groups rather than with the rest of their form class. The PSHCE Coordinator, in consultation with the SENCO and Assistant SENCO, will identify students and make appropriate arrangements for adapted delivery.

The new RSE statutory guidance includes teaching LGBTQ+ content. Sexual orientation, gender identity and different types of relationships in the context of the law will be explored at a timely point and in a clear, sensitive and respectful manner to all students. When teaching these topics, staff will be aware that students may be discovering or understanding their sexual orientation or gender identity. There will be an equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships. Students’ religious and cultural backgrounds will be taken into account when planning teaching and there will be no stigmatisation of students based on their home circumstances or the structure of support around them. Therefore, our teaching will help

students from all backgrounds build positive and safe relationships, and thrive in modern Britain.

Some students may need support to recognise when relationships are unhealthy or abusive, as well as strategies to manage this and access to support for themselves or others at risk. We are mindful that for students who are experiencing, or have previously experienced, unhealthy or unsafe relationships at home or socially, school may have a particularly important role in being a place of consistency and safety. Students can always speak to trusted adults, report problems and find support. Any disclosures will be followed up in line with the Safeguarding Policy (see section 6). In these rare circumstances we may find it more appropriate for the student to follow a bespoke RSE programme rather than during form time with the rest of the students. Students are always guided on where they can go for further information and support.

Assessment

Staff will have the same expectations about the quality of students’ work as in other curriculum areas. Formative assessment will allow the form tutor and students to assess their contribution, ideas and progress. Students will also complete a baseline assessment at the beginning of each topic to determine prior knowledge, and then a similar assessment at the end of the topic, to capture progress and allow students to reflect on their learning. There will also be bespoke student evaluation forms administered at the end of PSHCE/RSE Drop Down Days.

Partnership Approaches to Delivering RSE

RSE also extends beyond the classroom. Whilst the majority of students want to learn about RSE during lessons, we know that they also want to be able to talk to their parents, health professionals, school nurses, and sexual health services about sex and relationships as well.

Therefore, Co-op Academy Bebington will use our pastoral staff and external agencies where necessary. External agencies have the appropriate skills and experience to make a unique contribution and add value. If they are delivering sessions to all students, Co-op Academy Bebington staff will be present at all times. They will also abide by our policy on confidentiality and safeguarding, a copy of which they will be provided with.

We have a weekly school nurse drop in session. This is a confidential service for students in secondary schools delivered by public health school nurses. It allows our students to ask questions about their wider health and sexual health which they may be too embarrassed to ask in an RSE lesson. Appointments can be made directly with the school nurse or via pastoral staff. The local school nurse team also administer the required vaccinations to our students.

Safeguarding and Confidentiality

RSE is underpinned by a confidentiality policy that is understood by students and staff. Students may seek advice and support on a specific personal issue. Under the common

law young people are entitled to the same duty of confidence as adults. Personal information about students will not be shared without their permission except for the purposes of child protection. Therefore, if a student discloses or indicates they are vulnerable or at risk, or if staff have any serious concerns, they member must follow the procedures laid down in the Safeguarding Policy and pass these onto the DSL. In their absence these will be communicated to the Senior Pastoral Leader or Deputy Headteacher. Staff will not offer or guarantee confidentiality to any student.

Staff Training

When appointed, all staff are trained in the delivery of RSE as part of their induction. All form tutors delivering PSHCE and RSE will receive regular staff training so they feel prepared and equipped, especially for the more controversial and sensitive topics. This will help ensure that students are provided with consistent messages and advice around making safe and healthy decisions in relationships. It will be made clear to staff that their own personal beliefs and attitudes cannot influence their delivery. The PSHCE Coordinator will lead staff training for form tutors for each year group during part of the first INSET of each half term. Training is also available for the PSHCE/RSE Coordinator to keep up to date with current policy and best practice. Our designated RSE team will receive additional training, and this may be led by external providers.

Parents

Engaging With Parents

Co-op Academy Bebington will maintain an open dialogue with parents. We value and welcome any questions about our approach to RSE. Any RSE teaching we offer will be complementary and supportive to the role of parents. We will consult with them on the development of RSE subject content and policy (and any subsequent changes to it). However, the DfE state that ‘what is taught, and how, is ultimately a decision for the school and consultation does not provide a parental veto on curriculum content’. RSE materials will also be made available to parents on the school website.

Link to DfE FAQs For Parents - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/relationships-education- relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education-faqs?utm_source=2b45920e-083a-44ad-9c3f- 16fed9168d3f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Link to DfE Guide For Parents (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/81259 4/RSE_secondary_schools_guide_for_parents.pdf

8.2 Parents’ Right Of Withdrawal

There are likely to be a number of reasons why parents may choose to withdraw their children from sex education. We hope that a good understanding of the importance of sex education (including its importance for keeping young people safe), familiarity with teaching approaches and resources to be used, and the opportunity to have questions

answered and concerns heard, are likely to reduce the chances of parents requesting to withdraw their child. All parents have been given the opportunity to view the policy on the website, and encouraged to contact us with any questions as part of the consultation period.

From September 2020 parents will not be able to withdraw their child from any aspect of Relationships Education or Health Education. However, parents will be able to withdraw their child from some or all of sex education (other than the sex education which is part of the National Curriculum for Science) up to and until three terms before they turn 16. Parents must apply in writing to the Headteacher if this is the case. The Headteacher will discuss such requests with parents and, as appropriate, with the student to ensure that their wishes are understood and to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum. However, a child will have a right to opt into sex education from their 15th birthday (specifically three academic terms before they turn 16) and ‘the school should make arrangements to provide the child with sex education during one of those terms’. Where students are withdrawn from sex education, we will document the process and ensure they ‘receive appropriate, purposeful education during the period of withdrawal’.

In the rare case that withdrawal occurs, parents are encouraged to provide RSE at home. Co-op Academy Bebington will offer to support parents opting out of school RSE by providing copies of materials used with students in school. A parent’s choice to withdraw their child from RSE does not affect the child’s right to use confidential health services provided in school or elsewhere. Occasionally, relationships and sex topics may arise incidentally in other subjects, and it is not possible to withdraw pupils from these relatively limited and often unplanned discussions.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Governing Body

The Governing Body will approve the RSE policy and hold the Headteacher to account for its implementation.

The Headteacher

Ensure RSE is well led, effectively managed, well planned and taught consistently across the school
Manage requests to withdraw students from the sex education element of RSE
Resource, staff and timetable RSE in a way that ensures the school fulfils its legal obligations

Staff

PSHCE Coordinator

Coordinate the delivery of RSE during form time
Design age appropriate RSE schemes of work for all year groups
Ensure all RSE resources are kept in one place on the network and are easily accessible to form tutors
Assist SLT with the monitoring and evaluation of RSE via learning walks, booklet scrutiny, and student/staff questionnaires
Monitor student progress in RSE
Contribute the CPD, training and support required by form tutors
Keep abreast of current RSE guidance and best practice
Ensure RSE education is accessible to all students

Form Tutors

Deliver RSE in a sensitive manner
Establish clear ground rules for students when engaging in debate and discussion
Model positive attitudes towards RSE
Monitor student progress
Respond to the needs of individual pupils and pass on any safeguarding concerns to the DSL
Pass on completed student RSE booklets to the PSHCE Coordinator
Provide feedback through RSE surveys to the PSHCE Coordinator

Students

Engage fully with RSE and treat others with respect and sensitivity during discussions
Complete self-assessment at the beginning and end of each unit of work
Respond sensibly to RSE student surveys and questionnaires at the end of Drop Down Days

Monitoring and Evaluation

Form time RSE sessions are quality assured by SLT and the PSHCE Coordinator via learning walks, student voice, and student booklet scrutiny. Sessions delivered by external agencies during Drop Down Days are monitored by teaching staff who feedback to the PSHCE Coordinator via staff questionnaire. Students also provide feedback by completing a questionnaire about each session. Form tutors monitor student progress during RSE sessions and by looking through student booklets. RSE staff and student surveys are completely annually, the findings of which are used to improve provision. This

policy will also be reviewed every 12-24 months by the Headteacher and the Governing Body to ensure it continues to meet the needs of students, staff and parents.

Links With Other Policies

RSE is supported by the school’s wider policies on:-

PSHCE
Behaviour For Learning
Equalities
Anti-Bullying
Safeguarding
SEND
Online Safety

The above policies can be found on the school website

https://bebington.coopacademies.co.uk/about-us/policies/

Appendix - Why RSE is Important

Consensual relationships - Young women are less likely to have experienced sex against their will if their main source of RSE was school.

Delay the age of first sex - National and international research shows that young people who receive high quality RSE are more likely to delay the age of first sex.

Prevent an unplanned pregnancy and look after their sexual health - Young women and young men who report school as their main source of information were less likely to contract an STI. Young women were less likely to be pregnant before 18 and to experience unplanned pregnancy in later life.

Preventing and reducing common STIs - The new statutory RSE status provides a unique opportunity to embed primary prevention on all sexual and reproductive health issues, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge they need to look after their own sexual health, including understanding the benefits of condom use and testing.

Chlamydia screening in sexually active young people - Chlamydia screening can be carried out by Wirral Brook and young people can be screened by visiting their centre. Our Year 12 and 13 students are tested.

The universal human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV) programme for Year 8 Students - The National HPV Immunisation Programme delivers the HPV vaccine, which protects against 4 types of HPV (6, 11, 16 and 18). These include both high and low risk types responsible for the majority of cervical cancers and genital warts. This immunisation programme is commissioned as part of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and delivered by the dedicated School Nurse.

Young people’s experience of RSE in school and at home - Most young people receive RSE from lessons at school and this is their preferred method followed by parents and health professionals.

Parents and carers support the delivery of RSE - Most parents (84%) want both school and home to have a role in RSE. An open culture and ease of parental communication about sexual issues are also associated with lower teenage conception rates. Yet many parents and carers feel they lack the skills, confidence and knowledge to talk to their children, and look to schools for support. In this regard, we will work together with parents and carers to make sure children and young people get the information and support they need.

Co-op Academy Bebington

Relationship and Sex Education Policy

Rationale and Ethos

Aims

Overview of Statutory Requirements

Content

Current Curriculum Requirements

National Curriculum Science

Delivery

Delivery Forums

Meeting the needs of all our students

Assessment

Partnership Approaches to Delivering RSE

Safeguarding and Confidentiality

Staff Training

Parents

Engaging With Parents

8.2 Parents’ Right Of Withdrawal

Staff

PSHCE Coordinator

Form Tutors

Students

Monitoring and Evaluation

Links With Other Policies

Appendix - Why RSE is Important