The aims of relationships and sex education (RSE) at West Lea are to:

·         Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place

·         Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene

·         Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy

·         Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships

·         Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies

We recognise the need to work as a whole school community to ensure a shared understanding of RSE and the under-pinning values and to deliver an effective programme that meets the needs of our pupils.

RSE is taught within our Personal Development curriculum which consists of the two subjects PHSE/RSE and Life & Work as well as a series of enrichment opportunities.  For more information about curriculum coverage please see the ‘Our Curriculum Subjects’ pages.

At Meridian Campus we cover a range of topics to develop children’s understanding as part of our Personal Development curriculum. This includes families, friendships and relationships
at a level which is appropriate for their age and physical development. Relationships and health education focuses on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships as well as the knowledge and understanding about growing and changing bodies. 

We aim to:

•          Develop moral understanding

•          Encourage children to feel positive about themselves, develop confidence and self esteem

•          Develop respect for others

•          Encourage children to make positive choices

•          Help children to develop healthy and respectful relationships (including caring friendships)

•          Help children to understand how relationships are formed, maintained and sometimes ended

•          Prepare children for change, physically and emotionally as they grow up including puberty

•          Teach children about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour

•          Help children stay safe online

•          Help children to understand emotions and feelings other themselves and others

•          Develop an awareness of family make up including same sex couples/parents, single parents, foster families, adoptive families, extended families

•          Develop an understanding and acceptance of diversity

In the secondary phase, RSE is taught as part of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education and Relationships and Sex Education (PSHE/RSE) lessons.  RSE focuses on giving young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds including:

·        Families

·        Respectful relationships, including friendships

·        Online and media

·        Being safe

·        Intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual
health

These areas of learning are taught within the context of family life taking care to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of children based on their home circumstances (families can include single parent families, LGBT parents, families headed by grandparents, adoptive parents, foster parents/carers amongst other structures) along with reflecting sensitively that some children may have a different structure of support around them (for example: looked after children or young carers).