Further information on the school's policy towards the teaching of Sexual Health can be found in Section 4. Information on Tackling Drugs Together can be found in Section 5.

b) Me and My Relationships

The aspect of PSHE will include, as appropriate to the child's age, work on feelings; helping others; people who help us; friendships; bullying; attitudes and discrimination; separation and loss; coping with conflict; sexuality; gender and reproduction. It will be taught largely through assemblies and, as specific concerns arise, through circle time.

c) Me and My Community

This aspect of PSHE will include, as appropriate to the child's age, work on leisure; conservation; road safety; first aid; the Health Service; vandalism; work environments and the school as a working environment. It will be taught largely through topic work on Geography and the local area, with some timetabled periods of PSHE to cover specific areas.

4. Sexual Health Education

It is possible for parents to request the withdrawal of their child from some areas of Personal and Social Education, particularly parts of the programme for Sexual Health Education. However, it must be made clear that some aspects of this programme form part of the Science National Curriculum, and it is not possible for pupils to be withdrawn from these elements. Where parents request the withdrawal of their child from those aspects of PSHE outside the National Curriculum, the following arrangements will be made:-

b) Once a request that a child be excused has been agreed, the request will

A particular issue at St. Andrews is the existence of mixed age classes, which present a challenge when teaching PSHE due to the emphasis given to teaching children at their own level of experience and maturity. Where appropriate, PSHE will be taught within the class situation, with a class discussion followed by group work appropriate to the child's level. However, it is recognised that at times it may be necessary to teach children in separate groups, perhaps with the assistance of an outside visitor. In these cases, care will be taken to discuss openly with children the importance of learning at our own level, and the difficulties associated with passing on distorted or inappropriate information in playground discussions.

Sensitive and controversial issues inevitably form part of school sexual health education. The school recognises the importance of presenting them in a broad and balanced way free from sensationalism and personal bias, and sensitively pitched to the level of the pupils needs and experience. It is recognised that sexual health education cannot be value free - the school therefore aims to teach children about sexual health within the context of values promoted generally by the school and the community as a whole. This context is primarily family based, although the school will give ~ll consideration at all times to the fact that the term "family" has a wide definition, and that each family unit is valuable and deserving of respect.

The school's framework of values is based upon respect for oneself and for others; respect and tolerance for the differences between people; independence; and responsibility for one's own actions.

The content of the school's sexual health education can be found within the scheme of work. Puberty, human reproduction and other related issues will be dealt with only in Year 5 and 6, as the children develop the maturity to be able to approach such topics. All issues relating to sexual health education will be taught within the context of school and family values.

5. Tackling Drugs Together

The school takes very seriously the problems associated with young children and drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. Development of the skills associated with making choices will be made within the moral framework of the school and will aim to strengthen skills in resisting peer or media pressure.

We aim to educate children on the health issues associated with tobacco, its addictive properties and social acceptability. We will also look at the effects of tobacco advertising and peer pressure in attracting children to become smokers.

We aim to educate children on the health issues associated with alcohol, its addictive properties and social acceptability. We will also look at the effects of alcohol advertising and peer pressure in attracting children to become drink dependent.

We aim to look at the appropriate and safe use of medicines, alerting children to the dangers associated with their incorrect use.

Particular emphasis will be given to children's prior knowledge and experience in discussing the issues surrounding the misuse of illegal substances. Our aim will be to alert children to the health issues associated with their use, and to look at the pressures they may encounter, assisting them in developing the skills to avoid such pressures and make their own informed decisions.

6. Implementation

The Curriculum & Pupil Related Committee have responsibility for PSHE. All governors must agree and monitor the implementation of the sex education section. The staff member with responsibility for the implementation and evaluation of the policy on PSHE is Mrs 3 Gray. They will be responsible for liaison with external agencies and with parents. They will also be responsible for liasing with other local schools to ensure a progressive, coherent approach to PSHE is adopted throughout each child's education.

Class teachers at each key stage are familiar with the contents of the policy and are responsible for including PSHE within their classroom planning.

The school will be using the Health for Life scheme (Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd) as the basis for the programme of study in PSHE. We will also be using the BBC programmes Learning To Be You in K52 and Watch: Ourselves in KSl.

Where appropriate, outside visitors will be used to enhance the school's programme of Personal and Social Education. Their role will be as an important addition to the planned programme, and they will be made familiar with the school's stated policy and ethos.

The teaching of PSHE will be undertaken within an atmosphere of openness and trust, including openness between home and school. However, where children raise issues of concern, and speak in confidence to a teacher or another adult it is essential that the child should understand that, in certain circumstances, other agencies may have to be involved in order to protect the interests of the child.

Where issues of concern are raised, the following action will be taken:

The Policy for Personal and Social Education was reviewed with the Curriculum & Pupil Related Committee on 20th June 2001 and approved by the Full Governing Body on 27th June 2001. The review date is set at Summer 2002.