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What is age-appropriate? – Further Guidance

Age appropriate does not always mean comfortable 

We recognise that parents and carers may have different views about when particular subjects should be introduced. 

What one family considers an appropriate age may differ from another family's view. 

Our curriculum therefore uses the Department for Education's statutory framework, safeguarding expectations, professional judgement and our knowledge of our pupils to determine when particular content should be taught. 

There is an important distinction between: 

“This is difficult for my child to hear about” 

and 

“This is inappropriate for children of this age.” 

We take concerns about both seriously, but they are not necessarily the same thing. 

A lesson may contain challenging material because pupils need to understand a risk that exists in the world around them. 

For example, teaching pupils about grooming does not mean that we believe they are ready to engage in sexual relationships. It means that we want them to be able to recognise inappropriate behaviour and seek help if they encounter it. 

Similarly, teaching older pupils about pornography does not mean that we are encouraging them to view it. It allows us to challenge misinformation, unrealistic expectations and harmful representations and to help pupils understand potential risks. 

 

Our approach to sensitive topics 

When a topic is particularly sensitive, teachers prepare carefully before delivering it. 

This may include: 

  • reviewing the lesson and supporting materials; 

  • considering the language used; 

  • identifying potentially sensitive or triggering material; 

  • preparing appropriate explanations and discussion questions; 

  • considering the needs of individual pupils; 

  • ensuring that safeguarding procedures are understood; 

  • establishing clear expectations for respectful discussion; and 

  • signposting pupils to appropriate sources of help and support. 

We also recognise that pupils within the same year group will not all have the same experiences, maturity or level of prior knowledge. 

Our teaching therefore focuses on knowledge, safety, respect and understanding, rather than assuming that all pupils have the same personal experiences. 

 

Why might a lesson look different from the original provider resource? 

Our providers supply educational resources for schools rather than a curriculum which has to be delivered identically in every setting. 

We select resources which support our curriculum and prepare them for our pupils. 

This means that a lesson may be used alongside: 

  • additional teacher explanation; 

  • discussion or reflection; 

  • supplementary information; 

  • safeguarding guidance; 

  • school-specific examples; 

  • additional support for pupils who need it; or 

  • other resources from our curriculum. 

The important point is that the resource provider does not determine our curriculum. 

Our curriculum determines which resources we use. 

 

What if a parent is concerned about a particular resource? 

We welcome questions and concerns from parents and carers. 

We recognise that seeing a lesson title or resource outside the context of the wider curriculum can sometimes make content appear more concerning than it is. 

If you have a concern about a particular lesson, we encourage you to contact us so that we can explain: 

  • why the topic is included; 

  • why it is taught at that particular age; 

  • what pupils are expected to learn; 

  • how the lesson fits into the wider programme; 

  • what resources are being used; and 

  • how the lesson is delivered. 

Parents and carers can request to see the resources being used with their child at any time. 

We want these conversations to be constructive and based on the actual content, purpose and context of the lesson. 

Transparency for parents and carers 

We have therefore made our curriculum particularly transparent. 

On this website you can find: 

✓ The Year 7–11 curriculum overview 
✓ The topics taught in each year group 
✓ The individual lesson titles 
✓ Sample resources from across the programme 
✓ Information about our resource providers 
✓ Information about how we quality-assure resources 
✓ Information about parental withdrawal rights 

If you would like to see a particular resource which is not included in the sample materials on this website, please contact Paul Rhodes – Assistant Headteacher 

We will be happy to arrange an opportunity for you to view the relevant material.

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