"...children and young people should be helped to develop harmoniously their physical, moral and intellectual qualities... they should receive a positive and prudent education in matters relating to sex ... and young people have the right to be stimulated to make sound moral judgements based on a well-informed conscience and to put them into practice with a sense of personal commitment..." Gravissimum Educationis (para. 3)

Framework for prep school sex education

The inclusion of positive, person-centered education is at the heart of Catholic Christian education. This education is basically about the development, growth and journey of the whole person towards becoming ‘fully human, fully alive' as a unique creation made in God's image.

The Education Reform Act 1988 states that school should provide a curriculum which promotes " the spiritual, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils... and of society, and prepares such pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life".

Moral and Values framework for Sex Education

Section 46 of the Education Act (No. 2) 1986 requires "that where sex education is given it is taught in such a manner as to encourage those pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life". For such education to be successful it must be fully integrated into the curriculum. Science, religious education, health education, literature, the arts, all have a key role to play. The whole curriculum conveys value and helps in the moral growth of the pupils.

The sex education programme at Alton Convent School will reflect the school ethos and demonstrate and reflect the following values:-

• respect for self;
• respect for others;
• respect for personal action;
• respect for family, friends, school and wider community;
• importance of dignity;
• importance of self-restraint.

Circular 5/94 on Sex Education in Schools, (7), asks schools to "recognize that parents are key figures in helping their children to cope with the emotional and physical aspects of growing up and in preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities which sexual maturation brings". Alton Convent School is committed to working with parents, and the content of the programme will be available for parents to view prior to any teaching.

Aim of Sex Education at Alton Convent School

• At the appropriate levels it is our aim to:-
• engender growth in self respect and self worth, recognising that each of us is created in the image of God.
• explore the meaning and value of life, and give some appreciation of the values of a family life.
• enable pupils to have some understanding that love is central and the basis of meaningful relationships.
• assist all pupils to develop their understanding and awareness of their own and others' physical, sexual and emotional development.encourage a climate in which informed, sensitive and balanced
• discussion of personal relationships can take place.
• meet the needs of all pupils through the provision of a balanced, comprehensive and co-ordinated programme of personal, social and health education, within which teaching about sex and personal relationships can occur.

Sex Education Curriculum:- Framework for a scheme of work

By the end of Key Stage 1 children will begin to:-

• understand the importance of valuing themselves and others.
• recognize their membership of the family and recognize the roles of individuals in families.
• know that humans develop at different rates and that human babies have special needs.
• be able to name external parts of the body and understand the concept of male and female.
• know about personal safety e.g. know that individuals have rights over their own bodies and that there are differences between good and bad touches. They learn to appreciate each other's personal space.
• begin to develop simple skills and practices which will help maintain personal health and safety and personal hygiene.
• recognize a range of emotions and how we deal with them.
• appreciate relationships, friends, family, working together, sharing playing together.

By the end of Key Stage 2 children will begin to:

• value themselves as a child of God, and their body as God's gift to them;
• understand that they grow and change throughout life;
• understand what is meant by relationships within families, friends and communities;
• develop an appreciation of what is involved in bringing up children and what responsibilities parents have;
• become aware of the different patterns of friendship;
• know the sacraments celebrated in Church, marking birth, marriage and death;
• be aware of their changing emotions and the need to respect other people's emotions and feelings;
• begin to know about and understand the changes that come about during puberty;
• know and understand their bodies and their need for personal hygiene;
• know the names for parts of the body;
• know the basic biology of human reproduction;
• appreciate that life is precious and a gift from God;
• become aware of the choices they make and that there are good choices and wrong choices;
• recognize the importance of forgiveness in relationships;

For the planning, evaluation and assessment of the Sex Education Curriculum please see the relevant section of the overall PSME policy.