Primary age pupils in Key Stage 2 can now learn and discuss the difficult subject of parental separation as part of their relationships education (RE) curriculum and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum. This material has received quality mark approval from The PSHE Association and has been devised by Family Solution Group members Prof. Anne Barlow and Dr Jan Ewing at Exeter Law School in collaboration with NACCC and The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS).
Rosie’s Story
Lesson 1 introduces pupils to Rosie, aged 9, whose parents have separated. The lesson normalises the range of emotions that children may feel if their parents separate. This should help children come to terms with parental separation or support others going through this transition. In an age-appropriate way.
Lesson 2 introduces pupils to their rights under Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to information, consultation, and, if needed, representation when parents separate. The lesson aims to demystify the legal processes and provide children with details of sources of support (including NACCC) and how to access them when parents separate.
Both lessons have slides and a Teacher Guide to assist in preparation. Using a ‘rights’ theme, a fun infographic reinforces learning from the lessons.
The key message teachers are giving is that most parents agree arrangements themselves. This is to bust the myth that parents need to go to court to sort out child arrangements.
Key Stage 2 Lesson Plan: Parental Separation
An infographic has been produced to support the lesson. Laminated A3 copies of the infographic for classroom walls are available free of charge by emailing J.Ewing@exeter.ac.uk
These materials build upon the success of the Key Stage 3 material (‘The Rights Idea?’ and ‘Tom’s Story’) introducing secondary pupils to their rights and how mediation and child contact centres can help them and their family.
For more info, go to The University of Exeter’s Law School website.
