Curriculum Intent
Skills: To provide our students with the skills to take ownership of their learning journey including developing socially and emotionally.
Attitudes: We aim for all our students to access a PSHE curriculum that promotes healthy attitudes towards life both physically and emotionally.
Knowledge: To understand their own and others’ rights in the wider world.
At St Martins School we see Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) as being at the centre of all that we do; PSHE education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. The promotion of pupils’ personal development (which includes their social development) is a fundamental aspect of education and underpins all other learning; Through our curriculum, our school environment and our school ethos, we promote pupils’ self-esteem and emotional well-being and help them to form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships, based on respect for themselves and for others, at home, at school, at work and in the community.
We aim for all our students to access a PSHE curriculum that promotes healthy attitudes towards life both physically and emotionally. That promotes knowledge to help children understand their own and others’ rights in the wider world. That provides children with opportunities to develop an awareness of being a good citizen as part of a larger community. That prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. These skills can be applied to wider contexts when leaving school such as: living independently and safely and ensuring their basic needs are met.
We endeavour to promote high expectations and aspirations that challenge all learners to gain a deeper understanding of the PSHE Curriculum, with the intention of supporting them in reaching their full potentials for their futures. Through a rich, purposeful curriculum we aim to provide our students with the skills and attributes to take ownership of their learning journey as we provide a helping hand along the way. Including developing socially and emotionally in line with their own personal needs.
St Martins School: Parental Consultation for Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
“Effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. It should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand reasons for delaying sexual activity. Effective RSE also supports people throughout life to develop safe, fulfilling and healthy sexual relationships at the appropriate time.”
DfE Statutory Guidance for Relationships and Sex Education
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced changes to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). These changes were due to come into effect from September 2020; this date has been extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but all schools will now be required to comply with the updated requirements. This means that we have reviewed our RSE curriculum and policy so we can be sure our RSE provision is appropriate for all of our pupils based on their:
- Age
- Physical and emotional maturity
- Religious and cultural backgrounds
- Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities
You will be aware that, as a part of your child’s education at St Martins School, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education lessons, that gives our students the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future. This is taught in weekly timetabled lessons to each class throughout the school.
What does the new guidance mean?
The new RSE guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up will give young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and will help them take responsibility for their own well-being.
How will this be delivered?
RSE is delivered as part of the wider PSHE curriculum; each class has at least one 45-minute lesson on their timetable each week, delivered by the class teacher. We may sometimes ask external specialists to provide sessions to supplement reaching, for example, PCSOs. All teaching in PSHE will continue to take place in a safe learning environment and be underpinned by our school ethos and values, as well as being in line with Safeguarding guidelines and procedures. A variety of opportunities will be provided for pupils to learn and ask questions to further their understanding and to find out more about what affects them personally in their ever-changing social world.
Does my child have to do these lessons?
The DfE states that parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from the specific Sex Education lessons within the RSE curriculum by putting their wishes in writing to the Head of School following a discussion with staff. However, they are clear that you may not withdraw your child from the wider Relationships Education curriculum, any aspect of Health Education, or from the elements of the Science curriculum that cover puberty, conception and reproduction. There is also an expectation that parents/carers who do withdraw their child provide this at home instead, and schools are advised to provide materials for you to do this if required. You can opt to withdraw your child up to 3 terms before they reach the age of 16; after this, attendance in these lessons is their own choice.
Whilst we will always respect parental/carer wishes, we do strongly recommend that pupils are allowed to attend all lessons, as the likelihood is that they will hear about the content from their peers outside of the classroom without a teacher present to correct any misinformation.
What if I have questions?
In the first instance, to introduce parents and carers to the new RSE curriculum, we invite you to review the draft policy and the statutory content of the relationships and sex education programme which is contained within it. There is also an optional survey for you to complete to give your views which will be sent home with your child.
In addition, as a school community, we are committed to working with parents, so please do not hesitate to contact PSHE Co-ordinator, Bryony Holman, your child’s class teacher, or the Executive Headteacher, Sabrina Hobbs, if you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of our RSE provision.
PSHE Documents
The Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education
Religion and belief have become more visible in public life in recent years, making it important that all students should have an opportunity to engage in Religious Education (RE). However, the Parent Carer of a student may request that they be excused from all or part of the RE provided.
Parent Carers who wish to withdraw their young person from RE should be aware of its aims and what is covered in the RE curriculum and that they are given the opportunity to discuss this if they wish. It should be made clear whether the withdrawal is from the whole RE curriculum or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.
If you wish to withdraw your child from RE, or parts of RE, please contact our Head of School - Toni Beardmore.
Important – limitations to withdraw
If students are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching. A student may be required to work in another area of the school, such as library or break out area.
Whilst Parent Carers have a right to withdraw their young person from RE, they should note that the young person may also encounter religions and beliefs and wider aspects of faith in other areas of the curriculum from which there is no right of withdrawal.
On occasion, spontaneous questions about religious matters are raised by students or issues related to religion arise in other curriculum subjects such as history or citizenship (PSHE). For example, schools promote community cohesion and help pupils to understand ideas about identity and diversity, feelings and emotions within both religious and non-religious contexts.