Changing adolescent body
Pupils should know:
• key facts about puberty and the changing adolescent body, particularly from age 9 through to age 11, including physical and emotional changes. • about menstrual wellbeing including the key facts about the menstrual cycle.
Organisation of the specific sex-education coverage
In PSHE we teach children about relationships, and we encourage children to discuss issues. We teach about the parts of the body and how these work, and we explain to them what will happen to their bodies during puberty. For example, we tell the boys that their voices will change during puberty and we explain to the girls about menstruation. We encourage the children to ask for help if they need it.
In science lessons in both key stages, teachers inform children about puberty and how a baby is born. For this aspect of the school’s teaching, we follow the guidance material in the New National Curriculum for Science
Foundation Stage
We talk about ourselves from a baby to now and how we have changed. The children draw around their body and begin to name main parts. Children are taught the differences between each other and their lifestyles.
Key Stage 1
We teach children about how animals, including humans, move, feed, grow and reproduce, and we also teach them about the main parts of the body. Children learn to appreciate the differences between people and how to show respect for each other.
Key Stage 2
We teach about life processes and the main stages of the human life cycle in greater depth.
In Year 5 we place a particular emphasis on health education, as many children experience puberty at this age. We liaise with the Local Health Authority about suitable teaching materials to use with our children in these lessons. Teachers do their best to answer all questions with sensitivity and care. By the end of Key Stage 2, we ensure that both boys and girls know how babies are born, how their bodies change during puberty, what menstruation is, and how it affects women. We always teach this with due regard for the emotional development of the children. We arrange a meeting for all parents and carers of children in Year 5 to discuss this particular programme of lessons, to explain what the issues are and how they are taught, and to see the materials the school uses in its teaching. With the growth of mobile technology and our pupils’ access to the internet, we will provide opportunities to challenge pupils’ perceptions of images and video material portrayed and consumed on the world wide web. This is to ensure that the consistent message about the value in strong relations built on mutual trust and respect are driven through our curriculum. For example, where pupils may have accessed inappropriate material, school will challenge the views portrayed to balance and support pupils.
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