Sex & Relationships Education Policy - Ribston Hall High School

RIBSTON HALL HIGH SCHOOL
_____________________________
SEX AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION POLICY
Date: March 2009
Person(s) responsible:
Date of next review:
Background:
Deputy Head Teacher
October 2011 (or earlier if new regulations are published before
this date)
Ribston Hall High School is an 11-18 girls’ selective school with a mixed Sixth Form serving
both Gloucester City and the surrounding area. Students are drawn from a variety of socioeconomic
backgrounds and faith communities, including Sikh, Hindu and Muslim.
This policy has been reviewed at meetings by staff and Governor representatives. Further
procedures to accompany this policy will be devised subsequent to its approval by the
Governing Body. Such procedures will cover what support is available for students and how
sex and relationship education will be monitored and evaluated. In addition, guidelines will be
given for staff training and support. These will be appended to the main office copy.
This policy is available on request from the school office and reference to it is made in the
School Prospectus. A copy of it is held by all staff and members of the Governing Body.
It is one of the key objectives for students at Ribston Hall that they develop a soundly based set
of personal values. The school endeavours to encourage the growth of self-confidence, selfdiscipline
and self-esteem. Students are expected to develop responsible personal standards
based upon self-respect and concern for the needs of others.
These objectives are reflected in the following aims for Sex and Relationship Education at
Ribston Hall:
To educate, by imparting knowledge about human sexuality.
To encourage and aid development of students so they can recognise the moral dimension
of all situations and to aid development of their own set of socially acceptable values and
principles by which to live.
To enable students to become positive and confident about their own physical, emotional
and moral development, thereby developing self-esteem and confidence into adult life.
To develop for themselves a sense of responsibility for self and others in relationships.
To ensure knowledge of the relevant laws.
Sex Education Mar 2009-Oct 2011

Moral and Values Framework:
Delivery of the Sex and Relationship Education Policy
While being taught in science lessons about the physical aspects of sexual behaviour, a clear
moral framework will be provided in the Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship
programme within which students are encouraged to consider the importance of self-restraint,
dignity and respect for themselves and others. Staff and Governors wish to discourage students
from breaking the law relating to sexual intercourse under the age of 16. Students will be
helped to recognise the physical, emotional and moral risks of casual sex, early pregnancies and
sexually transmitted infections. The benefits of stable family life and the responsibilities of
parenthood will be stressed.
Equal Opportunities:
All students will receive sex and relationship education. Parents and guardians/carers have the
opportunity of withdrawing students from these lessons; however, the School Governors
strongly recommend that all students should follow the school's sex education programme.
The Organisation of the Sex and Relationship Education Programme:
Outside agencies may be involved with specific aspects of the course, but at other times the
programme will be handled by specialist science staff (where aspects take place within
science lessons) or by the Tutors (where dealt with in Personal, Social and Health
Education and Citizenship lessons).
Appropriate training will be made available for teaching staff through the Teaching and
Learning training programme.
The content and method used are designed to be appropriate for the year group and
sensitive to family circumstances, religious belief and cultural practices.
The content and methods of approach of outside speakers used for selected topics will be
previewed by the relevant staff.
The programme will be monitored regularly by staff and Governors.
Consultation with other schools is done through the Schools’ Health Service.
Specific Issues Statements:
Where appropriate a teacher will advise a student where to seek professional help, but initially
all students will be encouraged to discuss matters with their parents. Staff will always
endeavour to help students who seek specific advice about personal problems.
Confidentiality: It is made clear to students that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Where
a breach or abuse of the law is suspected a member of staff may have no alternative but to
report this to a higher authority, as required by the Child Protection Policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Policy: The Deputy Head Teacher will be available to
report to the Governing Body on the policy, its accompanying procedures and the contents of
the Sex Education and Relationship programme annually or as requested. Students will be
consulted about their views on the effectiveness of the Sex and Relationship Education
programme through the Student Councils.
Sex Education Mar 2009-Oct 2011