Curriculum for Excellence Relationships, Sexual Health & Parenthood Education in Primary Schools

1. Curriculum for ExcellenceRelationships, Sexual Health & Parenthood Education in Primary Schools

2. Mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing Planning for choices and changes Food and health Where does Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood feature in the Health and Wellbeing framework? Relationships, sexual health and parenthood Physical education, physical activity and sport Substance misuse

3. Pause for thought What factors influence young peoples’ attitudes to relationships and sexual health

4. Some influences • Parents and carers • Teachers • Siblings • Peers • Magazines • Newspapers • TV • Internet • Social networking • Pornography • Console Games – X box; Wii etc • Films

5. What can we do to help our children to be resilient in a sexualised environment? • A range of secure attachments with significant others • A consistent parenting approach • Emotional warmth • Clear boundaries and supervision • Responsive interaction • Family opportunities for positive social interaction/involvement • Open dialogue • Children participation in family decision-making • Having opportunities to contribute to family and community life including being able to take appropriate responsibilities

7. Curriculum for Excellence: Key themes

8. What we are doing in our school

9. All About Us: Living & Growing

11. Home Activities - Primary 7 (Health Respect Pack)

12. Primary 2

14. Primary 4

15. What information would you like to have before talking to you children about Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood? • What to talk to them about it • Having an understanding of what she will be told • Generic literature currently available • Perhaps some internet references • Same information that the teachers have. Clear guidelines • None, we are happy we have sufficient information • Guidelines on what to discuss based on age of child, and how to approach each topic with my child (e.g. how to introduce / begin the conversation) • Information on what is age appropriate information to share • General content and learning outcomes • It would be good to know how these subjects are being covered at school and how they are being worked into the curriculum. • How sex education will be presented in school.

16. What support (if any) would you like? • Maybe a leaflet • I would like to be very clear on what is taught in class • Same information that the teachers have for teaching. Do not want to say too much • More leaflets, websites, info, people to contact • Age suitable materials that match class work • None required • Written guidelines as per above answer but not in too much detail, just hints and tips • Information about what is being covered at school • Some guidance towards good reference material perhaps? • Some link in their homework, perhaps? • It would be helpful if there was someone at the school that we could refer to if we needed some advice on how to approach certain issues. • Knowing what they are going to be taught in advance so can prepare for any questions.

17. Having looked at the progression table from P1-7 in your copy of the newsletter how do you feel about what is being taught? • If it explains things to pupils without getting embarrassing • Seems reasonable • I feel it’s being taught at the right time in these stages • I agree 100% • I'm ok with it • I think it is good schools are teaching these subjects • Feel it may be a little early for some things. But not opposed • Happy. Like what it involves • Very impressed • Comprehensive • P4 is quite early for topic in our opinion • Fine, no concerns • Feel that p4 is very early to teach children about how babies are made

18. I'm happy with what is being taught. It seems age appropriate and not try to introduce topics that will confuse at too young an age. • I am glad these topics are being covered at primary and think that the progression seems appropriate and relevant • Seems about right, although for some, covering human reproduction in p7 seems quite late. • Seems appropriate • My daughter's in P7 so has been taught the full range of subjects and I feel the timing has matched her level of maturity and need to know the subjects very well. • I feel it is something that children need to be taught and the different levels seem appropriate for the age of the children.

19. Any other comments • I feel this subject is a very sensitive subject to be taught and only 1 chance to get it right. I don't think that all children have developed maturity to understand and comprehend information given at this age • I feel that children need to be taught this but gentle • I feel the more open you are with children about all topics the better • If possible we'd like to know when topics are being discussed and a summary of what is being discussed so we know when to expect any questions and can ensure a consistent response in line with what is being taught in class • Keep parents involved in the discussion with their child. Send home topics to be discussed with my child in line with the class discussion. • Appreciate the school involving parents in what could potentially be quite a tricky subject.

20. Your questions, concerns, ideas and comments

21. First and foremost, it’s aboutrelationships • helping your children to be resilient to the messages they will be exposed to and • being ready to make healthy choices at a time that is right for them

22. Good quality relationships education delays sexual activity and can change attitudes