RSE (Relationship and Sex Education)

Intent

At The Free School Norwich we recognise that children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and meet challenges online and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. Considering this, children need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.

We believe RSE should:

• Be an integral part of the lifelong learning process, beginning in early childhood and continue into adult life.
• Be an entitlement for all young people, making adjustments and considering effective teaching approaches for children who require it.
• Encourage all pupils to understand personal, social and emotional safety in their real world and online lives in order that they can be physically and mentally strong individuals as they grow.
• Be set within the core CUTHRIVE values of the school, namely: Communication, Trust, Independence, Vitality and Understanding Difference. We celebrate our families varying cultural heritages and understand that ‘family’ looks different for everyone- this provides a rich learning opportunity and opens up positive conversations for our pupils.
• Encourage students and teachers to share and respect each other’s views. We actively challenge  inappropriate behaviour (eg: racist, sexualised or bullying) in a safe, age appropriate and culturally respectful way,  this is integral our Active Bystanders Programme.
• Recognise that the wider community has much to offer and we aim to work in partnership with health professionals, social workers, health professionals and charity workers.

We aim to:

• promote open and honest conversation to remove stigma and provide the opportunity for children to ask questions confidentially or openly in a lesson.
• support our CUTHRIVE principles by developing emotionally resilient young people who understand what safe, happy and healthy relationships look and feel like.
• support pupils to understand different types of relationship, gender identity including the inclusiveness of our LGBTQ+ community.
• present topics neutrally and without judgement.
• support our pupils and staff by using the Active Bystanders programme to promote a safe, open environment where our language and behaviour demonstrates equal respect for all members of our school and wider community. Our Active Bystanders provide a voice for those who are vulnerable to possible sexual discrimination and exploitation.

Working in partnership with parents.

At The Free School Norwich we embrace the opportunity to involve our whole school community which is why we work alongside professional partners to inform our curriculum. We also value the input of our parents and use pupil voice to inform our teaching which is why a consultation for the RSE curriculum is held annually. All parents also have the right to withdraw their children from the RSE lessons.   We welcome a conversation about their decision to withdraw and hope to support their worries about the curriculum.

Implementation

RSE is taught as explicit lessons in the Summer term and through the PSHE and science curriculums. It is also embedded in other areas of the curriculum and day-to-day life of the school. Children are taught by familiar adults with whom they have a good rapport, in order to facilitate constructive and supportive discussions around sensitive topics in a safe and secure environment.

At the heart of RSE there is a focus on keeping children safe, and all staff play an important role in preventative education. Concerns raised during RSE lessons are addressed directly and children know that any worries raised can be put in the class worry box or be raised in the ‘Hear Me’ diaries. Any concerns raised are dealt with in an age-appropriate manner. Any serious concerns are dealt with in line with the school Safeguarding policy. As part of safeguarding practice, all children know who the DSLs are in school and what their role is in keeping them safe.

If staff feel uncomfortable or unsure when delivering the RSE curriculum or dealing with individual pupil needs, they know where to seek advice and support. Our high expectations of behaviour, interpersonal relationships, respect and tolerance of others reflect the British Values upheld in both our community and the wider world.

Impact

Through our rigorous and progressive curriculum, children develop key skills and are prepared for the wider world beyond primary school, a world in which they can keep themselves safe and healthy and thrive with the support of the positive relationships they forge with those around them.

Curriculum Progression