Since 2020, Relationships and Health education has been statutory for primary schools in England.
This means that Sex Education is not compulsory in primary schools in England. However, Relationships Education, Health Education and the Science Curriculum are compulsory.
Some primary schools may choose to teach aspects of ‘Sex Education’, which means teaching about sexual intimacy. This is a decision for schools to make in consultation with their parents.
In ‘Life to the Full‘ and ‘Life to the Full Plus‘, there is one lesson in Upper Key Stage Two which would be considered part of the ‘Sex Education’ curriculum. In this lesson, children are taught about how pregnancy is the product of sexual union between a married Christian couple. The subject is sensitively handled for children in Year 5 or 6.
Through consultation with parents, your school will decide if they intend to deliver this lesson in class. It may be omitted, or they may leave it for parents to lead with their children as a home activity.
To give you full insight into the lesson and its contents, you can review by following the link below.
Please note that this lesson is the tenth in a series of lessons which uses the drama “Paradise Street”, and therefore children will be familiar with the characters and the ongoing story.
In Upper Key Stage Two of ‘Life to the Full’ and ‘Life to the Full Plus’, there is another lesson called “Seeing Stuff Online” which addresses the risks that children face from seeing pornographic images and videos online. On the one hand, this is very much a lesson about ‘internet safety’ and therefore falls under the statutory curriculum guidance of Online safety and awareness and Wellbeing Online.
However, some schools and parents may also consider this to fall under the non-statutory Sex Education curriculum. We encourage schools and their parents to make their own decision about this.
You can review this lesson by following the link below:
In ‘Life to the Full’ and ‘Life to the Full Plus’, we have placed the first teaching on puberty in the Lower Key Stage Two programme, but recommend that it is taught at Year 4.
Different schools will make different decisions about when the teaching on the physical changes of puberty is first taught. This includes teaching on the growth of genitals, hair growth and the first teaching about menstruation. Some schools, for example, may choose to teach some lessons with boys and girls in separate classes.
We leave these decisions to be made by the school, in consultation with parents.
In Key Stage One of ‘Life to the Full’ and ‘Life to the Full Plus’, a decision must be made about whether to introduce names of genitalia to Years 1 and 2. We have produced 2 different versions of the same resource and leave this decision to the school in consultation with parents.
The case for introducing teaching about genitalia at this age is two-fold.
The first is that this is the stage at which we talk to children about the differences between boys and girls. Here, it is important not to uphold negative gender stereotypes and, in fact, the non-physical differences between boys and girls at this age are small and difficult to define.
The second is a safeguarding issue. The argument goes that if young children are better able to confidently articulate about private body parts, they are better equipped to identify experiences of feeling uncomfortable if any form of abuse takes place.
The argument against teaching about genitalia at Key Stage One is that it could engender an interest in private body parts that may be unhelpful at this age.
Although the duty to teach about FGM is not statutory for primary schools, Ten Ten Resources have provided resources so that it can optionally be applied following consultation with parents and governors. The National FGM Centre advises that girls are at most risk at primary school age, and therefore recommends that primary schools also teach about FGM where possible.
In KS1, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not named explicitly in the lesson about Physical Contact. However, there is an optional section which briefly mentions the illegal practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and reinforces the key teaching that privates are private. The lesson guidance is worded as follows:
‘You might want to mention that in some cultures people want to harm girls’ private parts, and that is not OK. Reinforce and expand upon the PANTS rules: privates are private and should stay the same as when a girl was born.’
In LKS2, when children are learning about different kinds of abuse, including sexual abuse (referred to as ‘abuse of private parts’). Ten Ten Resources have provided two versions of this lesson. The first version without mention of FGM and the second version with information about FGM.
In terms of FGM teaching content, there is a reduced version which teachers can share from the session notes, or a longer version in an appendices, which you can view below to give an overview of key knowledge for teaching staff.
The lesson finishes by discussing appropriate touch that makes us feel positive, and a reflection on how much God loves us and wants us to stay safe.
For UKS2, Ten Ten Resources have produced two versions of the Types of Abuse session, version 2 includes teaching on FGM.
In both versions of the lesson, children are introduced to the concept of rights (including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and how abuse violates their rights. They are asked to think of trusted adults that they can talk to about any issues they may face
The optional section explains that children have the right to be safe and to be in control of their bodies, so that they need to be aware of a practice which violates these rights: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Children watch a film which goes beyond LKS2 learning by answering the following questions:
You can view this short film via the Online Parent Portal:
The final area concerning a Key Decision is linked to the UKS2 lesson, Build Others Up.
At the beginning of the session, children are invited to watch the film ‘Imagine a world…’ which introduces children to the terms fairness, bullying, prejudice, and discrimination, and the protected characteristics of age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, and religion or belief. You can view the film via the Online Parent Portal linked below.
The protected characteristics of sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment are not explicitly named within the film.
Later in the session, children are presented with a number of scenarios to discuss and sort. Three of them concern discrimination / bullying of the protected characteristics of sex and/or sexual orientation.
In addition to the lesson outlined in the previous section, schools who subscribe to Life to the Full Plus will also have access to four Classroom Short videos (that can be viewed via the Online Parent Portal).
1. Recognise
In this film, children will consolidate and develop learning from the session by learning to recognise prejudice and discriminatory behaviours in themselves and others. In the context of hearing various descriptions of prejudiced actions, children learn in this video that homophobia is being prejudiced against someone because they are attracted to someone of the same sex.
2. Attraction
In this live action drama, rumours in school about crushes cause upset between friends. Within their class teaching, the characters learn what attraction is and that someone can be attracted to someone of the same or the opposite sex. Discussion will give children the opportunity to consolidate learning about attraction and consider how attraction fits within healthy, loving relationships.
3. Stereotypes
This informative video explores how gender stereotypes can have a negative impact on people’s sense of self. It also explains what is meant by sexual orientation and how this is different from gender expression. Children will learn that instead of being stereotyped, every person should be valued in their uniqueness as someone created in God’s image.
4. Differences
In an age appropriate way, this film introduces the concept of gender identity, and what it means to experience gender dysphoria. The film also clarifies how this is different from gender expression and sexual orientation. The film encourages empathy and compassion, inviting children to show kindness and sensitivity towards anyone struggling with their gender identity.
We encourage schools and parents to engage in dialogue over these important issues for the health and well-being of their children. At all times, the Ten Ten Resources programme aims to be age-appropriate whilst at the same time as supporting parents and schools in nurturing their children in the most healthy way, rooted in the foundation that they are a child of God: one who is created, chosen and loved by God.
In the next Unit, we’ll share answers to lots of the questions which parents may have about the programme.
To proceed to Unit 5: FAQs, click below.
