You may have read, heard or seen in the news this week the grand proclamation that “children under 9 are to be banned from receiving sex education”, including plans to prohibit any pupils being taught about gender identity.  In truth, sex education is not typically taught in most primary schools until Year 6, when the children are aged 10 or 11, and is delivered at an age-appropriate and introductory level centred on pregnancy and child birth.  Further and appropriate sex education follows at secondary school age, and parents and carers always have the right to withdraw their children of any age from sex and relationships education (but not the biological aspect of reproduction that appears in the science national curriculum). 

It is also worth noting that in primary schools, what is meant by ‘relationships’ education involves teaching children what makes a good friend, who are trusted adults, how to sort out arguments, and how make up after disagreements.  Throughout primary school, children are taught about healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships – including online and social media.  This primary school content at St Peter’s is all age appropriate and does not venture into what some of the mainstream media may have you believe is radical teaching on adult relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation. 

Furthermore, children are taught at the right age and stage about some of the physical changes that will happen to them during their later childhood and early adolescence as part of the curriculum about maintaining their own personal health and wellbeing.  You will be reassured to know that St Peter’s relationships and health education curriculum is taken from a Diocesan approved programme of study called ‘Life to the Full’ , prepared and resourced by a Catholic company called Ten:Ten.  This is a programme underpinned by a Christian faith understanding that our deepest identity is as a child of God – created, chosen and loved by God.  Furthermore, St Peter’s Relationships and Sex Education policy is publicly available on our school website, giving further reassurance to parents, carers and families of how our school approaches these sensitive topics in the most suitable way for the pupils in our care.  At all times, we respect the role of parents and carers as the first educators of their children. 

I am always available to host any conversations that parents, carers or families, having the policies and curriculum above, may still wish to have regarding relationships and health education at St Peter’s.  I would also advise caution when reading about this topic in the media, encouraging individuals to conduct their own research as to just how representative headline grabbing stories may be of the reality in the vast majority of our schools.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher