General Information

Sex Education is delivered as part of Hope High School's curriculum and is recognised as an entitlement for all students.

The overall aim of the programme is to support the personal and social development of all students, ensuring that they have the ability to accept their own and others' sexuality in positive ways and to enjoy relationships based on mutual respect and responsibility.

The programme for sex education is taught by the School Health Team and Progression Leaders, using recognised books, videos, pamphlets and worksheets which are available for parents to view. Sensitive issues will be dealt with in a way that is broad and balanced and does not sensationalise, that is not a biased view from the teacher and is appropriate to the needs and experience of the students. Teachers will be sensitive to individuals' religious beliefs.

In Year 7, the areas covered will be relationships and friendships. The science curriculum also contains lessons on body parts and reproduction in humans.

In Year 8 the students will learn about growth and physical development, puberty and adolescent matters.

In Year 9 they look at human reproduction in more detail, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and the law relating to sexual behaviour and parental responsibilities and child care.

In Year 10 the emphasis is on family life and where the adolescent fits in, sexual behaviour and health issues, making informed choices, more detail on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, abortion and family life in different communities.

In Year 11 the students will cover many of the issues that have been studied in previous years as a source of revision.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex education lessons after consultation with the Headteacher. The school will endeavour to place students in an alternative lesson. A copy of the Sex Education Policy is available through the Headteacher.