Marchwood Junior School | School Policies

• School Policies

Sex Education | Equal Opportunities | Behaviour & Discipline

Sex Education Policy

As part of the governors’ curriculum policy, our sex education policy reflects the ethos of our school which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of the pupils at the school and of society.

It also has a contribution in the preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. We therefore take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that where sex education is given to any pupil in the school, it is given in such a manner as to encourage those pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life.

As with all aspects of Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship, sex education is approached through topic work. The planned programme aims to be appropriate to the child’s needs and level of development. It also serves to recognise the diverse backgrounds of all our pupils.

In years three and four children explore topics such as Ourselves in which the themes of family relationships and growing up are part of the programme. Environmental education in the summer term also begins to deal with growth and development.

These themes are developed in both years five and six by dealing more explicitly with issues concerned with growing up. Relevant biological aspects including puberty, menstruation, sexual intercourse and pregnancy are dealt with appropriately and sensitively through suitable video and book resources and teacher led discussion.

We also ensure that any outside speakers also work within the framework of our policy. Any sensitive issues which may arise are dealt with carefully and at a level appropriate to the child’s understanding with due regard to the legal framework of society.
There is a list of resources used available in school.

Materials are available to be seen on request and we also have a time when parents are invited to view videos and are consulted with all views being taken into consideration. Any parent is welcome to come and discuss the programmes and any individual concerns with the class teacher or a senior member of staff. If they then feel they wish to withdraw their children from certain aspects of the Sex Education work, they are obliged to write to the school.

It should be noted however that some sex education lies within the National Curriculum Science orders and it is intended that there should continue to be a requirement at Key Stage Two that pupils are taught about human development and reproduction. A request for withdrawal remains until changed or revoked by the parent.
This policy has been developed and supported by the governors in light of the views of pupils, staff and parents in response to the 1993 Education Act.

REFERENCES
1993 Education Act (section 241)
1986 Education Act (section 46)
1988 Education Reform Act (section 1 (2))
Reviewed - re-confirmed 1998
Reviewed – re-confirmed 2004

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Equal Opportunities

Hampshire County Council Policy Statement of Equal Opportunities in the Curriculum
This Statement recognises that all individuals are different and have different needs. It confirms, however, an entitlement to equality of opportunity for all pupils and students irrespective of gender, race or disability. Hampshire County Council is committed to supporting this entitlement.

Complaints
Under the 1988 Education Act, the D.f.E.S. has laid down a complaints procedure relating to the received curriculum. If having discussed any concerns with the Headteacher and Governors, you still feel there are grounds for serious complaint about the Curriculum delivered, details of the procedure can be obtained from school.
Should you ever have any concerns or queries about any aspect of the school please contact, in the first instance, your child’s class teacher or, where appropriate the Headteacher or Deputy Head.

Restraint
The school follows the Restraint of Pupils guidelines as recommended by Hampshire County Council.

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Behaviour and Discipline at School

We expect a high standard of conduct and behaviour from all children, based on self-discipline. The informal, caring atmosphere which we seek to create depends on sensible attitudes and self-control.

A few specific rules relating to health and safety provide a secure background but we do hope to develop in children a strong sense of consideration for others. Good behaviour, positive attitudes and hard work are encouraged through the House System and our system of Certificates which go into the children’s Record of Achievement.

Older children also have the opportunity to take on responsibility as House Captains. All children in Year 6 are given the chance to become School Monitors and carry out duties for the benefit of the whole school.

We have a carefully worked out policy for discipline which lays down a step by step approach to dealing with misconduct so that children know where they stand. Repeated poor behaviour or serious misdemeanours are recorded and parents are involved when stern warnings are not heeded. When cases of misconduct occur, we try to make punishments constructive and fit the crime in the hope that fairness and justice are felt to have been done.

If it is ever deemed necessary to exclude a pupil from school, the pupil's parents have a right to make representation to the Governing Body if they consider the exclusion to be unreasonable. Parents may see a copy of the Procedure for the Exclusion of Pupils in the School Office. We also operate an “Anti-Bullying Policy “ alongside the Discipline Policy.