Sex and Relationships Education
Sex and relationships education is part of the personal, social and health education curriculum in our school. Sex and Relationship Education is part of a child’s broad, balanced curriculum, integral to the basic curriculum of the school and part of the child’s all round development.
As a church school, we base all our work on our Christian values. We respect each child as a unique being, loved and accepted in an ethos that encourages and celebrates difference.
On this page you will find information about our curriculum, and some useful links for parents. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
As a church school, we base all our work on our Christian values. We respect each child as a unique being, loved and accepted in an ethos that encourages and celebrates difference.
On this page you will find information about our curriculum, and some useful links for parents. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
|
| ||||
Talking to your child about sex and relationships
Sex and relationships is a subject which some parents and carers can feel uncomfortable discussing with their children. It’s therefore important to talk with children early, as soon as they start to notice differences and begin to explore their own bodies.
Sex education at school is not enough. Children need to make sense of what they learn, with the help of their parents and carers, outside the classroom too.
It is best to start talking to children about their bodies when they are young, and to maintain the conversation as they grow. Include it as
an everyday part of life. Waiting until puberty can make it more difficult to discuss.
Talking about feelings and relationships is just as important as talking about the changes in their bodies - young people report that they need parents and carers to discuss the emotional side of relationships.
Talking to children about sex does not make them more likely to have sex. Research indicates that young people who can talk to their parents and carers about sex tend to delay their first sexual experience, and they are more likely to use contraception when they do.
Sex education at school is not enough. Children need to make sense of what they learn, with the help of their parents and carers, outside the classroom too.
It is best to start talking to children about their bodies when they are young, and to maintain the conversation as they grow. Include it as
an everyday part of life. Waiting until puberty can make it more difficult to discuss.
Talking about feelings and relationships is just as important as talking about the changes in their bodies - young people report that they need parents and carers to discuss the emotional side of relationships.
Talking to children about sex does not make them more likely to have sex. Research indicates that young people who can talk to their parents and carers about sex tend to delay their first sexual experience, and they are more likely to use contraception when they do.
Tips for Parents and Carers
- Start early, you will find it less awkward if you introduce the topic when your child is very young. Answer questions simply and naturally, this will make things much easier when they are older.
- When your child asks difficult questions, ask them some questions back before you launch into an explanation. This will give you a bit of time and help you to know how much knowledge they have already.
- Try to create a climate at home where your children can ask about sex and relationships. So, for example, if a storyline about relationships emerges in a TV programme and they want to know about it, they'll feel they can ask you.
- Talk their language. Speak at a level your children will understand.
- It helps to have the right words to talk about sex. Getting hold of some good books or information from reliable websites (see below) can help. If you and your children are all using the same words for body parts and activities, you'll feel much less embarrassed.
- Don't set aside a special day or time to talk about these issues. Most children and young people find this quite alarming. Instead, be prepared to answer questions as and when they happen.
- Satisfy curiosity. Promiscuity isn’t encouraged by talking about sex; in fact research shows just the opposite!
- Always be honest. Stories about storks or mulberry bushes will only confuse children.
- If you are asked something you don’t know, just say so. Look up the answer together.
- A handy phrase for awkward questions at inappropriate moments is, ‘What a good question; lets talk about it when we get home/after tea/later today’ and do!
- Keep books and leaflets handy for older children and teenagers to read themselves but remember you still need to talk.
Useful weblinks for parents
www.thehormonefactory.com
The Hormone Factory website for children 10-12 years explains reproductive development, physical, emotional and social changes associated with puberty.
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/sexualhealth
NHS Choices, Live Well covers a wide range of issues on sexual health and relationships including ‘Why talk to your children about sex’.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121015000000/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10015927
Covers a range of issues including talking to children about sex and teenage pregnancy
http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/secondary/health-and-development/talking-about-sex/
Parenting and family support charity includinginformation about, 'talkking about sex and relationships’.
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
www.sexualhealthbucks.nhs.uk
Buckinghamshire Sexual Health website gives information about local services with links to national sites and information.
The Hormone Factory website for children 10-12 years explains reproductive development, physical, emotional and social changes associated with puberty.
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/sexualhealth
NHS Choices, Live Well covers a wide range of issues on sexual health and relationships including ‘Why talk to your children about sex’.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121015000000/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10015927
Covers a range of issues including talking to children about sex and teenage pregnancy
http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/secondary/health-and-development/talking-about-sex/
Parenting and family support charity includinginformation about, 'talkking about sex and relationships’.
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
www.sexualhealthbucks.nhs.uk
Buckinghamshire Sexual Health website gives information about local services with links to national sites and information.
Some useful books for parents
How did I begin?
By Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0749656611
Where Did I Come From?
By Peter Mayle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A4ANV4M
Let’s Talk about where Babies Come From
By Robie H Harris
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1406357863
Made with love: How Babies are Made
By Kate Perry
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0333741862
Where Willy Went
By Nicholas Allen
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0099456486
Let’s Talk about Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families, Friends
By Robie H Harris
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1406306061
Who’s in a Family?
By Robert Skutch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/188367266X
By Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0749656611
Where Did I Come From?
By Peter Mayle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A4ANV4M
Let’s Talk about where Babies Come From
By Robie H Harris
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1406357863
Made with love: How Babies are Made
By Kate Perry
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0333741862
Where Willy Went
By Nicholas Allen
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0099456486
Let’s Talk about Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families, Friends
By Robie H Harris
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1406306061
Who’s in a Family?
By Robert Skutch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/188367266X
