Dear Parents and Carers,
As a part of your child’s education at Monkton Wood Academy, we promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme within their Personal Development lessons. Teaching Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education is our legal duty, and the government provides guidance which we must comply with. Personal Development is the curriculum subject that gives young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential.
I am writing to let you know that, during this term, your child’s class will be taking part in lessons which will focus on the relationships and sex education (RSE) aspect of this programme. Year 9 RSE lessons will include teaching about healthy relationships, including:
What are STIs?
This lesson will look at some common STIs and how they are transmitted, the different categories of STIs and the facts, dangers and symptoms of STIs.
Treating STIs and the Clinic.
This lesson will look at the symptoms and risks of STIs, the importance of Sexual Health Clinics (GUM) and why people should get “checked out” after unprotected sex.
Contraception Explored.
This lesson will look at the different varieties of contraception, which types of contraception are best for different people, explore the effects of contraception in terms of STIs, pregnancy or both.
Contraception – Condoms.
This lesson will look the correct steps for using an external (male) condom, obstacles of condom use and how to overcome them, and how the C-card system works.
Contraception explored further.
This lesson will look at the block, suppress and disable methods of reducing the risk of pregnancy, explore the forms of contraception that reduce the risk of STIs, pregnancy or both, and the know what thrush is and common symptoms in men and women.
HIV and AIDS
This lesson will look at the differences between HIV and AIDS, explore the ways HIV can be transmitted and reduce the risk, evaluate the importance of World AIDS day.
HIV and AIDS – prejudice and discrimination.
This lesson will look at the history of HIV and AIDS and recent advances in treatment and protection, exploring the stigma of HIV and AIDS, explore how the cycle of prejudice and discrimination towards HIV and AIDS can be broken.
All Personal Development teaching takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school ethos and values. We work together to raise awareness and respect all viewpoints. As a school community, we are committed to working in partnership with parents. If you would like to find out more or discuss any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Wood
Head of Personal Development
Monkton Wood Academy
[email protected]
