Laying the Foundations: Sex and Relationships Education in Primary Schools

Children start to learn about relationships and sexuality in their broadest sense long before they begin primary school. Comprehensive education on sex and relationships in primary schools needs to build on children's pre-school experiences, not only of gender differences but also of relationships and feelings. By providing a programme throughout primary, teachers can help children in the development of the personal and social skills necessary for positive relationships. Effective SRE also prepares children for the changes they will experience at puberty and gives them the confidence and skills to be able to talk to adults and ask for help. Based on projects undertaken by the Sex Education Forum, this resource has been developed to support staff in developing their SRE policy and practice. It defines SRE within a PSHE and Citizenship framework and whole-school approach, highlights the importance of SRE and outlines relevant legislation and guidance, and brings together the biological and the social and emotional aspects of SRE.
Chapters look at policy development, planning, delivering and assessing SRE, and specific topics like reproduction, growing, feelings, keeping safe, keeping clean and healthy, friends, families, and choices and consequences. The resource also includes sample lesson plans for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are included which take into account requirements of the National Curriculum and recommendations from Ofsted.