The aims of relationship and sex education (RSE) at Longford Park School are to:

• Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place.
• Prepare pupils for puberty and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene.
• Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy.
• Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships.
• Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies.
• Create an opportunity to enable pupils to be taught about positive emotional and mental wellbeing, including how friendships can support mental wellbeing.

At Longford Park School, Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) is underpinned by the ethos and values of our school and we uphold it as an entitlement for all our pupils, underpinned by our core values; Believe, Belong, Become.

We recognise the need to work as a whole school community to ensure a shared understanding of RSE and the values under-pinning it and to deliver an effective programme that meets the needs of our pupils taking into account their SEMH and complex needs.

RSE is about the emotional, social and cultural development of pupils, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity. 

RSE involves a combination of sharing information and exploring issues and values. 

RSE is not about the promotion of sexual activity.

Curriculum

We have developed the curriculum in consultation with parents, pupils and staff considering the needs and feelings of pupils. If pupils ask questions outside the scope of our curriculum, teachers will respond so pupils are fully informed and don’t seek answers online. We therefore may need to adapt this as and when necessary to match the needs of the children.

At Longford Park School RSE is taught in a variety of ways. Much of the curriculum is taught through the Science and PSHE curriculum although staff may deliver parts of the curriculum through English, RE and other foundation subject topic work where relevant. Staff should be clear on these links referring to them within lessons. They should ensure the children know the PSHE links within the lessons. The additional RSE programme for KS1 and KS2 children is taught discretely as timetabled lessons. 

Longford Park School aims to provide young people with the ability to develop in our pupils an understanding of the physical, biological, emotional, social, spiritual, legal and moral aspects of sex and sexuality.  We teach RSE within the wider context of building self-esteem, emotional well-being, relationships and healthy lives beginning in the early through to year 6. This prepares our pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

All staff will be responsible for teaching SRE with the support and advice from outside visitors as appropriate.  Pupils also receive stand-alone sex education sessions delivered by Karleen; School Nurse. Our families and pupils have strong relationships with our School Nurse and her input in these lessons helps to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

At Longford Park School, we also recognise that some aspects of RSE will occur unplanned, such as incidents arising in school or the local community and current topical events. We believe that these instances can provide useful learning opportunities and should be exploited appropriately and sensitively where possible. 

Due to the sensitive nature of Sex Education in particular, Longford Park School has always made every effort to invite and listen to the views of parents and incorporate these into the programme of study for RSE. In the event of parents having concerns about issues addressed, they should be invited to discuss those concerns with the coordinator or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. In accordance with statutory requirements, all children must attend any education that is part of the Science National Curriculum. However, if parents wish to remove their child/children from related issues not covered by these objectives, it is their right to do so, and they should inform us in writing/verbal request. Alternative work will be given to pupils who are withdrawn from RSE. Parents will always be informed by letter about the content of the discrete RSE programme provided for KS1 and KS2 children and given notice about when these lessons will be taught.

Mental Health Statement of Intent

At Longford Park School, our core values underpin all we do. They are:

I believe in myself and others.

I belong to the school’s community.

I become the very best I can be.

Purpose

Our curriculum for PSHE & Mental Health has been created to reflect our cohort of pupils, their families, the community and the world we are preparing them for. Whilst it is imperative to follow the DfE’s guidance, at Longford Park School we have a bespoke approach to the planning, delivery and assessment of all objectives, meaning the needs of our pupils are at the heart of all we do. Our PSHE & Mental Health lessons provide thinking time for pupils to explore issues in a safe, supportive and open-minded way. These are a reflection of the school’s curriculum intent statement and core values, in particular ‘Believe, Belong, Become.’

What LPS will offer:

At Longford Park School we are committed to providing a bespoke approach to our PSHE and Mental Health needs. Longford Park are a part of a collaboration that has established a Mental Health Support Team. Our aim is to use our existing resources more effectively and promote good mental health and wellbeing in our setting.

MHSTs have three core functions:

• to deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate mental health issues;
• support the senior mental health lead (where established) in school to introduce or develop their whole school approach and;
• give timely advise to school staff and liaise with external specialist service to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education.

We also understand the importance of parent and pupil voice and will endeavour to take this into consideration to implement the most effective curriculum needs for our children.