anning for Relationships Education within the framework of SEAL, P.S.H.E. and Citizenship is undertaken in the context of the school’s overall curriculum plan which reflects the needs of all children. The long-term plan shows how the SEAL strand of Relationships is distributed across the years of both key stages in a sequence that promotes curriculum continuity and progress in children’s learning. Units will be linked with work in other subjects where appropriate.
Medium Term Plans
Our medium-term planning is based upon the Christopher Winter Project Schemes of Work and also covers the National Curriculum for Science.
Short Term Plans
The Christopher Winter Project detailed lesson plans will be used by teachers to deliver the programme and ensure the learning intentions are covered.
It is important that teachers have some freedom to respond to the needs of their class and so the scheme of work should be seen as guidance, to be used in a flexible way, with any other issues which arise being covered and noted on the scheme of work.
The delivery of Relationships Education is undertaken by staff who feel comfortable with the content and style of delivery necessary for its successful implementation. The staff at Beatrix Potter have received training from the Christopher Winter Project to ensure they feel confident to undertake teaching Relationships Education.
In order to help children to develop confidence in talking, listening and thinking about sex and relationships, the following teaching strategies will be used:
- Establishing ground rules with pupils to ensure a safe environment is created in which no-one feels embarrassed or anxious and to allow teachers to deal with unexpected or inappropriate questions.
- Using distancing techniques to depersonalise discussions. Role-plays, case studies with invented characters and theatre in education groups can assist in helping pupils discuss sensitive issues and develop their decision-making skills in a safe environment. A question box will also be used so that children can ask questions anonymously.
- Discussion and circle time to enable children to practise their social and personal skills and to consider and express their beliefs and attitudes about different topics.
- Allowing children time to reflect on what they have learned and to form new understanding, skills and attitudes.
When relevant, Relationships Education will be linked with other areas of the curriculum. There are close links with the Science curriculum. Literacy speaking and listening skills will be developed through pupils taking part in discussion, circle time activities, debates and role-play.
We work in partnership with parents, informing them of the content of the Relationships programme and inviting them to view any materials which will be shown to pupils. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Relationships Education programme apart from those parts included in the statutory National Curriculum.
As a staff, we endeavour to maintain an awareness of, and to provide for, equal opportunities for all our pupils in Relationships Education. We aim to take into account cultural background, gender and Special Needs, both in our teaching and in the published materials we use with our pupils.
We are aware that some areas of the Relationships Education programme may be sensitive to some cultures and religions and therefore we invite parents to view the materials and can arrange for children to withdraw from some parts of the programmes.
In most instances, boys and girls will undertake relationships activities as a mixed group. However, there will be some times when speaking to single sex groups will be most appropriate due to religious or cultural beliefs or because the pupils will feel safer and less embarrassed.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs
Pupils with special educational needs are included in Relationships Education. IEPs are used to address and monitor specific needs and to ensure support is given where it is needed.
Resources and Additional Activities
The school endeav