school.foylenet.org.uk

POLICY FOR RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION

This policy for Relationships and Sexuality Education supports and compliments the aims and objectives of the school which seeks to "provide a secure, caring, happy environment within which pupils can develop both as individuals and as members of a community." Further it seeks to "stimulate an appreciation of spiritual values and to encourage pupils to co-operate and appreciate the need for morals, values and tolerance of others".

1 RATIONALE

Education is concerned with the personal, social, emotional and moral development of young people as well as with their academic attainment. Through the study of health education topics in many areas of the curriculum, children should learn about changes which will occur in their bodies as they grow older. During their school career, as they become more aware of their own sexuality, they require information and guidance in coming to terms with physical and emotional changes and how these affect their feelings towards, and relationships with, other people. Most parents see the need for their children to have knowledge of, and information about, sexual matters. Some undertake this responsibility in the home; some prefer to share it with the school and other appropriate agencies; others, however, are unable or reluctant to advise their children adequately. As a result, many children’s knowledge of sexual matters is acquired in a distorted manner from their peers or other sources. In a society in which sexual contact is presented openly in the media, and relationships can be projected in a very basic manner, young people need both the guidance of sympathetic and well-informed adults and the opportunity to learn about, discuss and reflect upon sexual development in a secure and understanding environment such as that provided by the family and the school.

2 AIMS

It is important that RSE is seen as a component of an overall Health Education Programme for all pupils and not as an isolated subject. Further to this, RSE should be an educational entitlement of all pupils and an integral part of each pupil’s emergence into adulthood. As part of the Health Education Programme this policy retlects the aims outlined there.

Specifically RSE aims to:

• encourage personal responsibility in all forms of behaviour
• encourage self-esteem
• encourage respect and consideration for others
• provide support and information for young people and their parents.
• provide guidance, knowledge and information to enable our pupils to develop in a healthy and responsible manner.

3 CONTENT

RSE provides knowledge, and encourages the acquisition of skills and attitudes which will allow pupils to manage their lives in a responsible and healthy way.

A  - Knowledge and Information

Key Stage 3

Conception - Moral and responsible attitude towards sexual behaviour;

Puberty - Menstruation; Pregnancy and birth;

Relationships - parents, siblings, peers. teachers; Appropriate and inappropriate relationships; Responsibilities within relationships; Making informed and responsible decisions about personal and social relationships.

Key Stage 4

Genetics; Physical and emotional changes; Biological aspects of human fertility and conception: Pregnancy and birth; Contraception: STIs, HIV, AIDS. Friendship; Sexuality and Responsibility: Caring and Respect for life; Abstinence; Managing your emotions; Projecting Yourself; Sexual Abuse; Teenage Pregnancy: Media messages about relationships; Different types of relationships; family, peer etc. Making informed and responsible decisions about personal and social relationships. Establishing and maintaining relationships: Responsibilities within relationships.

Years 13 & 14

Sexual Morality, AIDS. STD, Teenage Mothers, Abortion

B - Values and Beliefs

As well as knowledge and information pupils will be encouraged to consider the importance of the following values, which are derived from the school’s value system:

• respect and valuing of themselves and others:
• understanding and sensitivity towards the needs and views of others:
• responsibility for their own actions:
• responsibility to the school, their family and the wider community.

C - Skills and abilities

Pupils will be helped to develop the following skills:

• communication including the making and keeping of relationships
• assertiveness
• decision-making
• recognising and using opportunities to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Detailed information can be found in the Policy for Health Education or in the Schemes of Work for specific subjects.

4 SPECIFIC VALUES

The following issues may occur as part of education:-

a - Confidentiality and Advice

Pupils will be made aware that some information cannot be held confidential, and made to understand that if certain disclosures are made certain actions will ensue. At the same time pupils will be offered sensitive and appropriate support. The following procedures will be adhered to by all adults:-

1. Disclosure or suspicion of abuse - the school’s child protection procedure will be invoked.
2. Disclosure of pregnancy or advice on contraception:- Pupils who have concerns in this area should consult a member of staff for advice.
   

The school will always encourage pupils to talk with their parents first:

• pupils should be asked whether they can tell parent(s) and whether they want help in doing so. If this takes place subsequent responsibility then lies with the parent(s). It will need to be checked.
• if pupils refuse to tell their parent(s) the adult should refer them to a health professional;
• the incident eill be reported to the head teacher who will consult with the health professional about informing the parent(s).

b - Family Life

The value of family life is an important aspect, which will be approached largely through a consideration of the qualities and relationships within the group of people, with an emphasis on stability, respect, caring and support.

c - Other Issues

As part of the RSE programme issues of contraception, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and abortion are addressed. Facts are presented in an objective and balanced way, with pupils being encouraged to consider their attitudes and values within the framework set out above. They will be made aware of the difference between fact, opinion and religious belief.

d - Complaints

Any complaints about the RSE curriculum should be made to the Principal.

e - Parental Partnership

Under the Education Act 1993 parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the RSE programme. Once a child has been withdrawn they cannot take part in later RSE without parental consent.

5 DELIVERY OF RSE

Topics not taught within the constraints of the National Curriculum will be delivered through the auspices of relevant and appropriate agencies:-

• Northlands/Hope North West
• The School Nurse
• Local Medical Practitioners
• Jackie Burke (Drugs)
• The organisation Love for Life
• Mrs Scholes (STI’s, HIV, SAFE SEX)

Any information thus delivered will be tailored to the needs of the different age groups within the school

POLICY FOR THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE INTERNET

For Staff and Pupils

Pupils are responsible for good behaviour on the Internet just as they are in the classroom or a school corridor. General school rules apply. In addition, a number of rules relating to use of the Internet also apply.

Foyle and Londonderry College has implemented a filtered Internet service through Cyber Patrol.

Staff and students at Foyle and Londonderry College should know and understand that no Internet user is permitted to:

• retrieve, send, copy or display offensive messages or pictures;
• use obscene or racist language;
• harass, insult or attack others;
• damage computers, computer systems or computer networks;
• violate copyright laws;
• use another user’s password;
• trespass in another user’s folders, work or files;
• intentionally waste resources (such as on-line time and consumables);
• use the network for unapproved commercial purposes.

Foyle and Londonderry College will ensure that all pupils understand how they are to use the Internet appropriately and why the rules exist. Pupils will be directed to the pupil version of this policy on first using the Internet, and during subsequent sessions as changes are made/issues arise.

The Internet is provided for pupils to conduct research and communicate with others. While the use of information and communication technologies is a required aspect of the statutory Northern Ireland Curriculum, access to the Internet remains a privilege and not a right. It is given to pupils who act in a considerate and responsible manner, and should be withdrawn if they fail to maintain acceptable standards of use.

During school hours teachers will guide pupils towards appropriate materials. Outside school hours families bear responsibility for such guidance as they must also give with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio, and other potentially offensive media.

When using the Internet at Foyle and Londonderry College, all users must comply with all copyright, libel, fraud, discrimination and obscenity laws.

Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Use

(a) On-line activities which are encouraged include, for example:

• the use of email and computer conferencing for communication between colleagues, between pupil(s) and teacher(s), between pupil(s) and pupil(s), between schools and industry;
• use of the Internet to investigate and research school subjects, cross-curricular themes and topics related to social and personal development;
• use of the Internet to investigate careers and Further and Higher education;
• the development of pupils competence in ICT skills and their general research skills.

(b) On-line activities which are not permitted include, for example:

• searching, viewing and/or retrieving materials that are not related to the aims of the curriculum or future careers;
• copying, saving and/or redistributing copyright protected material, without approval;
• subscribing to any services or ordering any goods or services, unless specifically approved by the school;
• playing computer games or using other interactive ‘chat’ sites, unless specifically assigned by the teacher;
• using the network in such a way that use of the network by other users is disrupted (for example: downloading large files during peak usage times; sending mass email messages);
• publishing, sharing or distributing any personal information about a user (such as: home address; email address; phone number, etc.);
• any activity that violates a school rule.

Sanctions

Violation of the above rules will result in a temporary or permanent ban on Internet use.

Additional disciplinary action may be added in line with existing school rules on inappropriate language or behaviour.

Where applicable, police or local authorities may be involved.

Location and Supervision

Internet access for pupils at Foyle and Londonderry College is located in the much used ICT facilities.

While using the Internet at school, pupils should, where possible, be supervised directly by a member of staff or indirectly by a technician or librarian. Research must be conducted in designated curricular areas only. In all cases, pupils should be reminded of their responsibility to use these resources in line with the school policy on acceptable use.

Users will be made aware that the ICT department has the ability to review files and communications to ensure that users are using the system responsibly. All uses of the Internet are logged and all sites visited by individual users are recorded. While normal privacy is respected and protected by password controls, as with the Internet itself, users must not expect files stored on school servers to be absolutely private.

Information for Parents

Parents are informed through the Essential Information Booklet of the school policy on acceptable use of the Internet. In addition to the above, parents are given the following guidance by Foyle and Londonderry College:

A home computer with Internet access should be situated in a location where parents can monitor access to Internet.

Parents should agree with their children suitable days/times for accessing the Internet. Internet usage can add significantly to your phone bill. Off-peak calls (after 6.00 p.m. daily and weekends) are cheaper, but the cost of Internet access still needs to be carefully considered.

Parents should discuss with their children the school rules for using the Internet and implement these at home. Parents and children should decide together when, how long, and what comprises appropriate use.

Parents should get to know the sites their children visit, and talk to them about what they are learning.

Parents should consider using appropriate Internet filtering software for blocking access to unsavoury materials. Further information is available from Parents’ Information Network (address below).

It is not recommended that any child under 16 should be given unmonitored access to news groups or chat facilities.

Parents should ensure that they give their agreement before their children give out personal identifying information in any electronic communication on the Internet, such as a picture, an address, a phone number, the school name, or financial information such as credit card or bank details. In this way they can protect their children (and themselves) from unwanted or unacceptable overtures from strangers, from unplanned expenditure and from fraud.

Parents should encourage their children not to respond to any unwelcome, unpleasant or abusive messages, and to tell them if they receive any such messages or images. If the message comes from an Internet service connection provided by the school or by NINE Connect, they should immediately inform the school.

Further free advice for parents is available from the following sources:

• Parents’ Information Network, PIN, PO Box 16394, London SEI 3ZP (http://www.pin-parents.com) Tel: 0891 633 644
• NCH Action for Children: Central Office, NCH Action for Children, 85 Highbury Park, London N5 IUD (http://www.nchafc.org.uk/internet/index.html) Tel: 0171 226 2033

This policy acknowledges and complies with DENI circular 1999/25 on the subject of Acceptable Use of the Internet for Schools and the Acceptable Use Policy developed by National Association of Co-ordinators and Teachers of IT.