Sent to Year 8 Parents & Carers on 25/02/26
Year 8: Personal Social and Health Education
As part of our Personal Social and Health Education curriculum at Westbourne, your child will soon receive a block of lessons on positive relationships and sex education. The purpose of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE), is to provide knowledge and understanding of how the human body changes during puberty and the processes of human reproduction, within the context of relationships based on love and respect. It should develop understanding and attitudes that will help students to form relationships in a responsible and healthy manner, and to appreciate the value of stable family life, including the responsibilities of parenthood and marriage.
At Westbourne, we intend to guide and support our students through their transition into adulthood with accurate and, importantly, age appropriate information. We will strive to develop their knowledge in understanding what is happening to them, so they will grow into confident and healthy adults, able to make positive choices. This can start with learning the basics about growing up and the lessons in school may reinforce what you are already doing at home.
The key aims of SRE are to:
- Provide a safe environment for accurate and relevant information about the physical and emotional changes that children and young people will experience throughout their formative years and into adulthood.
- Establish an awareness of the importance of stable family life and relationships, including the responsibilities of parenthood and marriage.
- Encourage self-awareness and self-esteem.
- Develop a sense of responsibility and respect for themselves and others.
Our Year 8 students will cover:
- Harassment and the law
- Puberty
- A basic guide to contraception
All teaching materials are age appropriate and we always consider the emotional maturity of the students concerned. My team of teachers who are delivering the content will do so in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner.
Parents and carers have the right to express an interest in withdrawing their child from all or part of sex education, that does not form part of the statutory National Curriculum. Any such requests need to be made in writing and emailed to me (email address can be found at the end of this communication).
Please note that requesting to withdraw permission on the grounds of religious beliefs is not a valid reason. In accordance with our RSE policy, the final decision on withdrawal from the sex education element rests with the Principal.
Class teachers will begin to deliver this vital part of the PSHE curriculum during the summer term.
Kind regards
Mr Joseph Bragg-Welling
Curriculum Leader for Religious Studies and PSHE
Email: joseph.bragg-welling@attrust.org.uk
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315