Sex education at Wickford Junior School

Why it is important . . . Teenage pregnancies are higher in Essex than nationally. A 2016 parliamentary report found that almost a third of 16 to 18 year-old girls had experienced unwanted touching at school. The staggering growth in social media usage at progressively younger ages causes an ever-mounting pressure on young people to look and behave a certain way, to have the flawlessly sexy bodies of models and the sexual appetites / attitudes of porn stars. Levels of anxiety and depression amongst young teenage girls are at their highest ever levels. Over one third of teenage girls report feeling miserable or worthless and experienced symptoms of anxiety - a significant increase over the past 10 years. A shocking increase (52%) in the number of admissions to hospital for self-harm in under-16 year olds has also been reported.

This year’s Health & Wellbeing Survey showed that: 10% of our pupils are unhappy with their appearance 15% often feel sad or tearful 10% lose their temper or get angry at least once a week 20% quite often worry about problems with friends

Sex education Growing Up Programme AIMS to develop children’s self-esteem, self worth & emotional resilience to give children scientific facts about sex

NHS Advice https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-sex/ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/boys-bodies-faqs/ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/girls-bodies-faqs/

Growing Up Programme Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Growing up since birth Differences between boys & girls Y5 Puberty Reproduction Y6 Social media & peer pressure Responsibility

What do children learn in Year 3? As we grow, we develop and are able to learn new skills Changing tastes in games, clothing, etc (Stonewall Programme) About relationships and people who are special to us. Living things reproduce. It is the female who gives birth.

What do children learn in Year 4? Name the parts of the body, including the reproductive organs To understand that each of them is unique in how they look and feel, but that they will change as they grow older To understand that a baby develops in the womb and that this is called pregnancy

What do children learn in Year 5? Changes occur during puberty that affect how they look and how they feel To understand the significance of girls starting their periods To understand the process of reproduction, leading to childbirth ( in context of a loving relationship) To understand their feelings and how to empathise with others and make them feel good.

What do children learn in Year 6? To explore how sex is portrayed in the media To share worries about feelings and relationships To understand the greater responsibilities they have as they grow up – mainly relating to their bodies (hygiene) and within relationships