As part of this year’s PHSE and Science Units, our Y6 pupils will have a series of lessons which teach about female genital mutilation (FGM). This is following advice from the Leeds Safeguarding Team, who have advised all schools in the authority that FGM should be taught to protect all pupils from any form of abuse or exploitation. The Safeguarding Team are working with teachers and schools to raise awareness around FGM with pupils across the city, to change attitudes and to correct any misinformation. Currently, under UK Law, all practitioners who work in health, education and social care have a statutory duty to report all cases of FGM in under 18 year olds to the police.
 
In the academic year 2016-2017, there were 5,391 new cases of FGM in the UK and we have been advised that the teaching of FGM is likely to become a legal requirement of the National Curriculum in the next few years. In some schools in the UK, the decision has been made to teach FGM
to children from Year 4 upwards, but we will only be teaching it to our Year 6 children at present.
 
The FGM unit will be taught in an age-appropriate and sensitive way, in the context of:
 
• keeping safe

• trusted adults

• knowing who and where to go for help

• rules, laws and children’s rights

• feeling confident to ask questions and discuss thoughts in a mature and appropriate way
 
This will be an important addition to the Year 6 Science units. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss this, matter further, please make an appointment to meet with us.

Worried about FGM?

0800 028 3550