This week in school we will be recognising National Sexual Health Week by conducting a series of age appropriate assemblies and tutor activities for students in Y7-11.

We will also be collapsing the timetable for Y10, for two lessons, so that students can attend a carousel of four sex and relationship workshops. Similarly, we also have the Midlands NHS prevention team coming into school to deliver a sexual health presentation to Y11 students.

Every year group will have some sort of session on the Focus Week and they will proceed as follows:

Year Group

Key Content

Year 7

 ·         Activities that examine the way that students’ bodies are changing and what physical and emotional changes are likely to take place as they go through puberty.

·         Students will consider how the relationships they have may change with growing awareness of their sexuality and sexual attraction.

·         Explore issues surrounding sexuality and tolerance. Focus on the unacceptability of sexist, homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic language and behaviour, the need to challenge it and how to do so.

Year 8

 ·         Activities that examine issues relating to readiness for sex to include the law, rights, responsibilities, consent and coercion.

·         Examine current trends in young people’s sexual behaviour. Illustrate that all evidence shows that young people are not having sex at an early age.

·         Consider the responsibilities that come with embarking on sexual relationships and the consequences that embarking on sexual relationships may have if not carefully considered.

Year 9

 ·         Activities that examine the portrayal of sex across different forms of media and the distortive effect that it can have on self-image, perception of relationships and the dangers of sharing sexual images.

·         Examine current trends in young people’s sexual behaviour. Illustrate that all evidence shows that young people are not having sex at an early age.

·         Consider the responsibilities that come with embarking on sexual relationships and the consequences that embarking on sexual relationships may have if not carefully considered.

Year 10 &

Year 11

 ·         Activities that re-examine consent in relationships. Look at the right to withdraw consent at different stages of sexual intimacy. Assess examples of consent.

·         Re-visit contraception and access. Inclusion of emergency contraception and the available pathways in event of an unwanted pregnancy.

·         STIs and how to mitigate against their transmission.

·         Examine at the portrayal of sex in the media and the distorted portrayals that emerge (body image, consent and respect).

·         Look at different media platforms and the harmful effect they may have on self-concept.

·         The law in relation to sharing sexual content and photos. The importance of protecting ones privacy and brand and the possible consequences of peer pressure.

As always we want to advise you of the topics that we will be covering in advance, so you are not only aware of the coverage taking place in school but also, so you can be prepared for further questions and/or discussion that either you or your child may wish to initiate at home.

Below are some links that you may wish to look at for context and support:

The Mix – Sexual Consent

https://www.themix.org.uk/sex-and-relationships/single-life-and-dating/sexual-consent-15356.html

Childline – Puberty

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/

Childline – Sexual Orientation

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/sexual-orientation/

NSPCC – Sexuality

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/sexuality-sexual-orientation/

FPA – Teenage Sexual Health Facts and General Information

https://www.fpa.org.uk/factsheets/teenagers-sexual-health-behaviour

Nuffield Trust – Teenage Pregnancy

https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/teenage-pregnancy

NHS – A Pregnant Teenager

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/teenager-pregnant/

Marie Stopes – Contraception

https://www.mariestopes.org.uk/other-services/contraception/

Brook – STIs

https://www.brook.org.uk/topics/stis/

Young Minds – Body Image

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/body-image/

Family Lives – Sexting

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/online/sexting/

 

Luke Baker, Assistant Headteacher, said: “We have an important and statutory duty to teach Sex & Relationships Education and we work hard to pitch topics at an age-appropriate and a stage appropriate level. Our Focus Week programmes lends itself well to ensuring everyone get a flavour of a topic, whilst the Drop-Down Days bring the depth of information that take things forward to another level.”