Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education (PSCHE)
Parents will not, however, be able to withdraw their child from any aspect of Relationships Education or Health Education.
Context We recognise that the prime responsibility for bringing up children rests with parents. Parents are key figures in helping their children cope with the emotional and physical aspects of growing up and in preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities which sexual maturity brings. The teaching offered by schools should be seen as complementary and supportive to the role of parents.
This programme is part of the school’s commitment to strong pastoral care and is delivered in a variety of ways: • PSCHE topics are discussed in the weekly Form Period. • Our specialist Educational Health Consultant, Mrs Julie Johnson, presents three PSCHE sessions a year on specific topics related to health and wellbeing. In UV the following topics are covered; Healthy Relationships, Consent and Rape and Stress Management . Pastoral Days There are two Pastoral Days each year in the Autumn and Spring Terms. Girls have individual interviews with their Form Tutors and attend sessions exploring topics within the PSCHE curriculum, as well as extracurricular activities. Parent Workshop In the Spring Term, all UV parents are invited to a Parent Workshop on the topic of ‘Emotional and Mental Wellbeing’, run by Julie Johnson.
PSCHE
Relationships and Sex Education Sex Education is delivered through Biology lessons in Remove and revisited on the GCSE Biology course. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) has now become a legal obligation for schools, for all pupils receiving secondary education, subject to a limited parental right to withdraw pupils from the Sex Education components up to three terms before the child turns 16. These lessons provide an understanding that a supportive, caring environment is essential for the development of stable, healthy relationships and that individuals are in charge of and responsible for their own bodies. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from any, or all parts, of the school’s programme of Sex Education. In this case, parents should write to the Principal, stating their objections.
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