TREGANNA HEALTH EDUCATION POLICY STATEMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

The Headteacher has prepared this policy statement and the Governing Body in consultation with parents and staff. Section 18 (2) of the Education (No 2) Act 1986 requires that a school such as Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna should consider whether sex education should form part of the secular curriculum for the school and what part it should form in its general health education policy. It is therefore appropriate that there should be a policy statement, which can be referred to by teachers, parents and prospective parents.

2. WHAT IS HEALTH?

'The World Health Organisation's definition is "a state of complete, physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity". 'iT stresses positive and wider aspects of health which should be reflected in the school's policy.

3. WHAT IS HEALTH EDUCATION?

Health Education in schools does not begin and end in the classroom. The subtle messages that pupils receive about health from the daily life of the school are as important
as those given during lessons. These messages may come from - for exandple, the content of a lunch box or a school meal, the relationships between staff and pupils, and the general ethos of the school.

Health Education needs to embrace three perspectives :

a) Teaching facts about a healthy lifestyle or the harmful effects of particular types of behaviour.

b) Helping children to clarify their feelings about these facts, helping them to discuss their attitudes and the values on which those attitudes are based.

c) The development of decision making skills, candmunication skills and resistance to peer pressure, assertiveness and the like.

4. THE SCHOOL'S AIMS WI'IHIN HEALTH EDUCATION

(a) To develop a child's sense of personal responsibility

(b) To build up a child's self esteem

(c) To help a child make informed choices and decisions

(d) To give child facts about keeping healthy

(e) To provide opportunities for discussion about health

(f) To help children exandine their attitudes to their own health

(g) To develop self resPeCt and resPeCt for others

5 . MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION

The school's health co-ordinator is the Headteacher, Mr Rhys Harries. His task will be to ensure that there is a coherent approach, and to ensure progression and continuity of health education th:i:-oughout the school.

6. HEALTH EDUCATION WI'IHIN THE CURRICUllJM

There will inevitably arise during a school day, within different age groups, sensitive issues which cannot be avoided if open discussion is to be encouraged. Some will involve an individual pupil or groups of pupils and will include single parenthood, illegitmacy, the presence of a guardian or foster parent instead of natural parents, adoption, different religious faiths, different cultural backgrounds, ­ homosexuality etc. Teachers should be encouraged to use and develop their professional skills to approach, discuss and advise on these issues as sensitively as possible particularly if it affects one or more of the pupils.

It is therefore essential that class teachers are fully aware of the pupils' religious, cultural and fandily backgroun:1s and the cx::curence of fandily events which could otherwise cause embarrassment or stress. Irrleed, events such as the birth of a new brother or sister, or the death of a relative can be the catalyst to discuss these and other issues in the classroom.

7. OBJECTIVES

By the time pupils leave Ysgol Gyrnraeg Treganna they have gained a simple knowledge and understanding of:

The human body: the nandes and purposes of its main parts including sexual organs; human growth and developments, including matters such as the natural differences between eye, hair and skin colour, puberty, emotional and sexual development, and development of the foetus in the womb; an awareness and acceptance of the physically and mentally han:licapPed; an understanding of conplaints such as allergies and asthma.

The conditions which promote healthy growth and development: such as fresh air, exercise, personal cleanliness and dental hygiene, sleep, rest, healthy diet which should include consideration of varied foods prePared in different ways by a range of ethnic groups, respect for others

Health hazzards: obesity, smoking, alcohol, drugs, dangerous substances, unsuitable diets and promiscuity (including a broad awareness of AIDS and HIV)

Safety: safety on the roads, in the water, in the home and in the envirornnent generally; the misuse of pills and medicines

The services provided to safeguard the health and safety of the community: the medical and nursing services, the fire service, the police and public health services

Social and environmental conditions that contriJ:ute to health: sanitation, safe drinking water, food hygiene, clean air

Inter-dependence of man and other living things: as revealed by the study of food chains, the use and effects of pesticides and fertilisers, environmental pollution

8. SEX EDUCATION

Responsible sex education will be given to pupils in order to help them cope with the physical and emotional aspects of growing up and to properly prepare them for adulthood.

The physical aspects of sex will be taught in a clear moral frandework, the most ilnportant being self-restraint, dignity and respect. A loving fandily life, in its widest sense, will be a central feature in sex education.

This policy statement emphasises that sex education is more than just providing infonnation about our bodies and reproduction.

It is:

a) providing accurate information about sexual development ­ physical, emotional and social;

b) raising self-awareness and sensitivity to others;

c)developing self-respect and respect for others;

d) developing the ability to communicate about sexuality;

e) equipping pupils to take responsibility for their behavior in personal relationships and to make informed choices in that area.

The following areas will be addressed and discussed by staff :

i)communication skills and assertiveness;

ii)coping with unwanted touching;

iii) medical and biological names for sexual parts as early as possible;

iv)openness in the classroom and honest reply to questions;

v)dangers of gender stereo-typing ;

vi)human reproduction;

vii) changes at puberty.

The following areas will be discussed by staff, according to their professional judgment, if the questions arise from the pupils:

contraception,

homosexuality.

9. SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND DRUG ABUSE

The Health education policy has been recently amended to include to reference to the misuse of substances and drug abuse. The principles of the staff approach in dealing with matters of this nature will be in line with the general guidelines laid down for health education in the school.

10. PROACTIVE LESSONS

CONCULSION

The school considers health and sex education is a partnership between school and parents, and should complement what goes on at home. Parents are consulted on the content of that part of the curriculum, and given an opportunity to view any educational materials used in the classroom.

The school's health education should promote certain attitudes among the pupils and in particular should cultivate a respect for others, an understand of different life styles and cultures, consideration for the handicapped, ill and underprivileged and an abhorrence of both physical and mental cruelty.

Appendix

LETTER TO PARENTS

Annwyl Riant / Warcheidwad,

Yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf, bydd cyfle i ddisgyblion Blwyddyn 6 wylio fideo sy’n cynnig Addysg Ryw. Bydd y gwersi hyn yn cael eu cyflwyno a’u goruchwylio gan y Dirprwy, Ms Sara Jones. Os hoffech wylio’r deunydd hwn cyn iddynt gael eu dangos i’ch plentyn, yna cysylltwch a’r Ysgol i drefnu hyn. Os nad ydych am i’ch plentyn ymuno yn y gwersi hyn, yna cysylltwch a’r ysgol yn syth.

Dear Parent / Guardian,

During the coming weeks, pupils in Year 6 will have an opportunity to view a programme of Sex Education Videos. These lessons will be conducted and supervised by the Deputy Head, Ms Sara Jones. Should you wish to view the video material prior to them being shown to your child, please contact the School to arrange a viewing. Should you wish to withdraw your child from these lessons, please contact the School immediately.

Yn gywir

Rh G Harries Pennaeth