Relationships & Sex Education
Throughout the academic year, PSHE teachers will be delivering a carefully planned programme of Relationships and Sex Education within the Enquiry Curriculum. These lessons will be delivered in teaching groups and in accordance with the needs of all pupils.
Please follow this link in order to view information related to access to RSE lessons for students with SEND (page 15 points 33-25):
The programme will focus on the changes that occur during puberty, the role of contraception, consent, and the challenges and responsibilities individuals may face as they reach maturity and embark on/navigate non-familial relationships. Our focus is the promotion of healthy, stable relationships of all kinds.
It is recognised however, that some guardians may prefer that their children do not receive sex education at school. The 2019 Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education statutory guidance states that parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Sex Education offered, other than those elements contained within the National Curriculum for Science such as the Menstrual Cycle and Contraception.
This right extends to all pupils from age 11 upwards. This does not include a right to withdraw from Relationships Education which is now statutory.
Please follow this link in order to view the information regarding the statutory standings of RSE and right to withdraw from Sex Education (page 8 points 3 & 4):
All lessons for KS3 RSE can be found in our Enquiry curriculum information here.
At the Kingsbrook School, we believe that our students should be kept informed about the changes in society that may impact their character development and therefore encourage all students to remain in the entirety of RSE lessons. All lessons will be taught age appropriately, allowing students to be empowered to make informed choices, learn key strategies and flourish as confident knowledgeable young people.
Parents who are considering exercising the right of withdrawal may wish to discuss the matter with Mrs Mona Kerr, Head of Enquiry. You should contact her via email if you would like to arrange a telephone appointment. In the case that you wish to continue in the choice to withdraw your child, this will need to be discussed further in a meeting with Mrs Simpson.
Once we receive a request asking for your child to be excused from Sex Education lessons, that request will be complied with until you/your child (if 3 terms before their 16th birthday) change it. The procedure for exercising the right of withdrawal is as follows:
- A written request should be sent to Mrs Kerr, Head of Enquiry via email on mkerr@kingsbrook.org.uk
- There will then need to be a meeting with Mrs Simpson, Headteacher to discuss the request.
- Once granted, the withdrawal will be kept on file to ascertain which children are excused from a particular section of the programme so that alternative work may be arranged for them.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Kerr if there are any questions in relation to any aspects of the RSE curriculum.
