YEAR 7 - 06 May 2022 - Relationships and Sex Education

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May 2022

Dear parents/carers,

Every year we write to you to let you know about our Relationships and Sex
Education curriculum. This programme of study is an essential part of the curriculum
and we deliver most of it through tutor time with age-appropriate resources and an
opportunity for discussion with the tutor and tutor group.

We follow a national personal, social and health education scheme which is called
Jigsaw. Jigsaw has been designed to meet the requirements outlined in the
Department for Education’s Statutory Guidance and has been recommended for
use by Bristol Local Authority.

I am writing to inform you that during term 6 (8 June -13 July) your child’s tutor will be
delivering age-appropriate relationships/sex education as part of our tutor
programme. This will be delivered very sensitively. Children can just listen, and no
one will be asked to speak or contribute if they are uncomfortable.
All students should be present and listen to the important information and messages
delivered. You can see details of the programme on the next page.

Can I withdraw my child from this curriculum?
• The new Statutory Guidance referred to above makes it clear that students
cannot be withdrawn from relationships education (R)
• Students cannot be withdrawn from sex education delivered through the
Science curriculum (for example as part of the Key Stage 3 or
GCSE Science curriculum).
• Students can be withdrawn from Sex Education (S) delivered during the PSHE/tutor time programme. To withdraw students, you need permission
from the Headteacher, as per our RSHE Policy.

We hope you are pleased that we will be delivering this very important curriculum
to each year group. Please contact me, as Head of Year, if you have any concerns
about this, or are thinking about withdrawing your child from some lessons.

Yours sincerely

Miss Carly Bryan, Head of Year 7
cbryan@orchard.tila.school

Relationships and Sex Education Curriculum
• Children must attend lessons labelled as ‘R’ (Relationships Education)
• Children can be withdrawn from lessons labelled as ‘S’ (Sex Education) with the
permission of the Headteacher. Please complete a form provided by your
Head of Year if you wish to withdraw your child from these sessions

Year 7
Reproductive system; changes through puberty – emotional and physical changes, and how to cope with the changes	S
Conception: how babies are conceived (naturally and through other ways e.g. IVF)	S
How a baby develops inside the uterus and is born	S
Awareness of (FGM) Female Genital Mutilation and where to seek help	S
Healthy relationships – different types of relationships	R
Roles and responsibilities of parenting	R
Self Esteem: how social media can impact on self-esteem and body image	R
Where to access support if worried about adolescence	R