RE

Religious Education is delivered weekly throughout the school and is based on the Dorset Agreed Syllabus. Christianity is taught in every year group, with Christmas and Easter following a different enquiry for each year/class group, thus developing the learning in a progressive way. Baha’i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism are also covered.

Religious Education is a legal requirement, although any parent has the right to withdraw a child, wholly or partly, from this area of the curriculum and from collective worship. Whole school, departmental and class assemblies are regularly held which are reflective in nature and reflect cultural diversity.

PSHE/RSE

PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education), which includes Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), is an important part of the curriculum for all pupils at Yewstock, with the content and delivery being tailored to their differing needs and abilities. It aims to foster self-esteem, independence and resilience and to give pupils the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to keep themselves safe and healthy, both emotionally and physically. It is also designed to help pupils to form and maintain healthy, respectful relationships, to develop a sense of responsibility, and to function as successfully as possible in the wider community.

Relationships and Sex Education is a vital part of the wider curriculum and whole-school ethos at Yewstock, which aims to nurture our pupils and give them the skills, attitudes and understanding to develop into happy, confident individuals who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilled lives and make a meaningful contribution to society. Coping with growing up and dealing with personal relationships has always been difficult, but today’s young people are living their lives seamlessly on and offline in an increasingly complex world. Moreover, the additional needs of the pupils at Yewstock School makes them even more vulnerable within society than their mainstream peers. At Yewstock, we are therefore committed to delivering high quality RSE, which will enable our young people to face the challenges, manage the risks and make the most of the opportunities that growing up brings.

For more information, please see our Relationships & Sex Education Policy.