Relationship, Sex and Health Education
In the academic year 2021/22, Relationships Education and Health Education became statutory in all primary schools in England. This new subject will build on the non-statutory lessons we have previously taught in RSE.
As a Catholic school, our mission is to support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all of our pupils, rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the Church. The education of children in human sexuality is an important, precious and privileged responsibility. The Church teaches us that this is very much a partnership with parents, in which parents are the ‘first educators’ of their children on these matters; ultimately, you confer on us the right to co-educate your children with you.
After researching various programmes that are available, Holy Cross Catholic MAC decided to adopt Life to the Full by Ten Ten Resources. Ten Ten is an award-winning Catholic educational organisation that is well-respected and very experienced in this field of work.
Life to the Full has been approved by our diocese. Furthermore, Ten Ten have entered into a partnership with the Catholic Education Service and the Department for Education to provide training for teachers in Catholic schools on the subject of the new statutory curriculum. Therefore, we are confident that this programme is a very good fit for our school.
To find out more below
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development. It is about the development of the pupil’s knowledge and understanding of what it means to be fully human, to live in respectful relationships, to make moral decisions and to understand we are all made in the image and likeness of God. In Christ the King Catholic Primary school, the focus will be on ‘teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and adults’.
We want our pupils to develop the knowledge and skills to make positive, healthy choices, look after themselves and others, and importantly, to keep safe as they develop through life and into adulthood. Pupils will be prepared for the changes of adolescence to ensure they are equipped to manage these effectively. All of this is set within and compliments the Catholic ethos and values of our school.
Our approach to RSHE is rooted in the Catholic Church’s teaching of the human person.
Implementation
At Christ the King we have taken a thematic approach to primary RSHE education, covering all three core themes of the Programme of Study outlined by the ‘Life to the Full’ Ten Ten Resources. This approach allows different year groups to work on similar themes at the same time, building a spiral programme year on year, whilst offering flexibility in terms of medium-term planning.
We work in partnership with pupils, parents and carers to offer all pupils a planned programme of education about human development, healthy relationships of all kinds, sexuality and family life which is developmental and appropriate to the age and maturity of the child.
All teachers will deliver RSHE in a safe way ensuring that all pupils feel able to participate and contribute. To support this each class creates a group agreement outlining expected behaviour, rights and responsibilities within RSHE sessions.
As with all curriculum areas there will be assessment in RSHE to ensure that pupils are achieving the intended learning outcomes. Teachers will assess pupils’ learning at the end of each unit.
All RSHE will be in accordance with the Church’s moral teaching. It will emphasise the central importance of marriage and the family whilst acknowledging that all pupils have a fundamental right to have their life respected whatever household they come from.
Impact
- RSHE is accessible for all pupils
- Pupils develop a positive view of themselves and to respect others
- Pupils can recognise pressure in all its forms and have strategies to resist this
- Pupils have the knowledge and skills to recognise and manage risks and keep themselves safe, in real life and online
- Pupils understand what helps to keep their bodies and minds healthy and things they can do to improve their health and wellbeing
- Pupils have the knowledge and skills to recognise and manage their mental and emotional well-being.
- Pupils understand their changing bodies before the changes occur.
- Pupils understand what it means to be part of a community
- Pupils begin to develop an understanding of money and employment
- To provide opportunities for all students to learn appropriate to their needs