RSE Policy

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Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Leigh

 

Relationships and Sex Education Policy

(RSE Policy)

 Live and Learn with Jesus.

 

We follow Jesus through fairness, kindness, love, friendship and happiness.

 

 

 

Rationale

I have come that you might have life and have it to the full’

(Jn.10.10))

 

We acknowledge that Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship, as well as Relationship and Sex Education (RSE), are all underpinned by a theology of relationship and are all encompassed in the title ‘Relationships and Sex Education’ (RSE).

 

Our belief in the unique dignity of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God underpins the approach to all education in our school. Our approach to relationship and sex education therefore is rooted in the Catholic Church’s teaching of the human person and is presented positively and prudently.

 

Stemming from this vision of what it means to be human, we seek to educate the whole child: spiritually, intellectually, morally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically towards our understanding of Christian maturity.

 

Following guidance from our own Bishop and Diocese, the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales and as advocated by the DFE, all relationship and sex education in our school will be firmly embedded in the Religious Education framework as it is concerned primarily with nurturing the human wholeness of our pupils.

 

All relationship and sex education 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 and support will be provided to help pupils deal with different sets of values.

  

Aims of Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)

 

  • To encourage pupils’ growth in self-respect, acknowledging we are all created in the image and likeness of God

 

  • To help pupils develop an understanding that love is the central basis of relationships

 

  • To help pupils to understand the nature of relationships and to encourage them to reflect on their own relationships and respect differences between people.

 

  • To develop pupils’ confidence in talking, listening and thinking about feelings and relationships.

 

  • To help pupils’ confidence in talking, listening and thinking about feelings and relationships.

 

  • To help pupils acquire the skills necessary to develop and sustain relationships

 

  • To offer sex education in the wider context of relationships.

 

  • To ensure that pupils protect themselves and ask for help and support when needed.

 

  • To ensure that pupils are prepared for puberty.

 

  • To help pupils to develop a healthier, safer lifestyle.
  • To prepare pupils to play an active role as citizens and to understand the Catholic vision of what it means to be citizens of the Kingdom/reign of God.

  

Delivery of RSE

 

RSE is taught through our life style in school and through the subjects of Religious Education, Science and by way of a cross-curricular, integrated approach.

 

All elements of PSHE and Citizenship, whilst non-statutory at Key Stage 1 and 2, are covered. Significant aspects of sex and relationship education remain part of the National Curriculum for Science.  These will be taught to all pupils. (Parents are unable to withdraw pupils from such lessons.)

 

 Key Stage 1 (5-7)

 

  • That humans move, feed, grow, use their senses and reproduce;
  • To name the main external parts of the body;
  • That humans grow from babies into children and then into adults, and that adults can produce babies;
  • To recognise similarities and differences between themselves and other pupils

             

 Key Stage 2 (7 – 11)

 

  • That the life processes common to humans and all animals include nutrition, growth and reproduction
  • The main stages of the human life cycle.

 

We acknowledge that every area of school life can potentially contribute to RSE as the school, of its very nature operates through positive human relationships. We recognise value and greatly appreciate the contribution made by all members of staff in deepening the quality of our Christian community.

 

Teachers will use their professional judgement when addressing issues in RSE. Careful consideration will be given to the wide and varied experience and backgrounds of the pupils in their care.

 

While we operate a whole school approach to Relationship and Sex education through our RSE Programme, pupils in Year 5 will learn about the emotional and the physical changes of puberty.   For this particular part of the curriculum, children will be taught together. A similar approach will operate in the autumn term in Year 6.  

 

Resources

We acknowledge that parents and carers are the key persons for children learning about relationships and sex; the foremost educators. Our role and our programme simply complement their role in nurturing their children’s human wholeness. However, the role of parents and our day to day interactions in school are currently supported by the following curriculum resource: ‘A Journey in Love’.

  

Assessment Recording and Reporting

A record is kept in teacher’s planning of the delivery of RSE. The programme is assessed, monitored and evaluated by the co-ordinator in accordance with the school’s monitoring and evaluation policy.  Pupils are given the opportunity for self-evaluation at an appropriate level for each year group. Reporting is made in individual pupil’s reports.

 

Outside Agencies

The expertise of outside agencies will be used appropriately to support but not at the expense of the school’s delivery.  The school is particularly thankful of the help available from local diocesan agencies and charities such as Nugent Care.

 

Curriculum Continuity

The school has an ongoing dialogue with the PSHE Co-ordinator of Leigh Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School; RSE, RE, Spiritual, Moral and PSHE policies complement each other as appropriate.

 

Safeguarding Procedures

The school has procedures to deal with any sensitive issues or children thought to be vulnerable. Staff will pass on any concerns of this nature to the designated child protection officer in school.

 

The Governing Body

The Governing body and Foundation Governors in particular recognise their responsibility to ensure the RSE programme follows Diocesan principles and reflects the Church’s teaching

 

The role of Parents

The Church has always recognised that it is the privilege and the responsibility of parents to educate and inform their children in all matters pertaining to personal growth and development particularly in the sensitive area of their moral education and sexual development. The Church also recognises that many parents require help and support in this task from both schools and parishes.

  

The Governing body fully subscribes to the views expressed by the Bishops’ Conference and will always ensure that:

 

  • Parents are supported in their task.
  • Parents are consulted and kept informed of the RSE Programme; its contents, evaluation and review and any subsequent developments.

 

Right of Withdrawal

 

It is our hope that parents would wish their children to be involved in the schools positive and prudent programme of relationship and sex education, following annual consultation regarding the school’s approach. However, we recognise parents have the right to withdraw their children from such lessons (not included in National Curriculum Science) after discussion with the headteacher.

 

Monitoring and Review

 

This policy will be monitored annually by the RSE Co-ordinator and will be reviewed annually by the Governing Body.  Parents will be consulted before any proposed changes.

 

EARLY YEARS

Ongoing PSHE

-Appreciative of blessings

-Be grateful to others and to God

-Be patient when they do not always get what they want

-We all have individual gifts, talents and abilities

-How to maintain personal hygiene

-We should be friendly and able to make and keep friends; we should be caring and attentive to the needs of others and generous; we should be respectful of others, their uniqueness, their wants and their needs; we should be forgiving and not hold grudges against those who hurt us; we should use our manners and be honest

-We need to be just and fair in our treatment of other people – locally, nationally and globally

-Be active in their commitment to bring about change

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YEAR 1

 

Ongoing PSHE

-Appreciative of blessings

-Be grateful to others and to God

-Be patient when they do not always get what they want

-We all have individual gifts, talents and abilities

-How to maintain personal hygiene

-We should be friendly and able to make and keep friends; we should be caring and attentive to the needs of others and generous; we should be respectful of others, their uniqueness, their wants and their needs; we should be forgiving and not hold grudges against those who hurt us; we should use our manners and be honest

-We need to be just and fair in our treatment of other people – locally, nationally and globally

-Be active in their commitment to bring about change

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YEAR 2

 

Ongoing PSHE

-Appreciative of blessings

-Be grateful to others and to God

-Be patient when they do not always get what they want

-We all have individual gifts, talents and abilities

-How to maintain personal hygiene

-We should be friendly and able to make and keep friends; we should be caring and attentive to the needs of others and generous; we should be respectful of others, their uniqueness, their wants and their needs; we should be forgiving and not hold grudges against those who hurt us; we should use our manners and be honest

-We need to be just and fair in our treatment of other people – locally, nationally and globally

-Be active in their commitment to bring about change.

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Year 3

 

Ongoing PSHE

-Respectful of their own bodies character and giftedness

-Be appreciative of blessings

-Self-disciplined and able to delay or forego gratification for the sake of greater goods

-Be discerning in their decision making

-Be determined and resilient in the face of difficulty

-Be courageous in the face of new situations and in facing their fears

-We are special people made in the image and likeness of God

-Strategies to develop self-confidence and self esteem

-Each person has a purpose in the world

-Similarities and differences between people arise from different factors

-How to make informed choices that have an impact on their health

-Recognise that some behaviour is unacceptable, unhealthy or risky

-Christians belong to the church family which includes the school, parish and diocese

-Be aware of bullying (including cyber-bullying) and how to respond

-How to use technology safely

-To recognise their increasing independence brings increased responsibility to keep themselves and others safe

-That not all images, language and behaviour are appropriate

-To judge what kind of physical contact is acceptable and unacceptable and how to respond

-That there are a number of different organisations they can go to for help in different situations and how to contact them

-How to report and get help if they encounter inappropriate materials or messages

-Understanding the impact of their actions locally, nationally and globally

-Be self-giving able to put aside their own wants in order to serve others locally, nationally and globally

-Prophetic in their ability to identify injustice and speak out against it locally, nationally and globally

-God is Trinity – a communion of persons

-The key principles of Catholic Social Teaching

-The Church is the Body of Christ

-That there are some cultural practices that are against British law and universal rights

-That actions such as Female Genital Mutilation constitute abuse, are crimes and how to get support if they have fears for themselves or their peers

-That bacteria and viruses can affect health and that following simple routines can reduce their spread

-About the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and beyond and the importance of living in right relationship with one another.

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YEAR 4

 

Ongoing PSHE

-Respectful of their own bodies character and giftedness

-Be appreciative of blessings

-Self-disciplined and able to delay or forego gratification for the sake of greater goods

-Be discerning in their decision making

-Be determined and resilient in the face of difficulty

-Be courageous in the face of new situations and in facing their fears

-We are special people made in the image and likeness of God

-Strategies to develop self-confidence and self esteem

-Each person has a purpose in the world

-Similarities and differences between people arise from different factors

-How to make informed choices that have an impact on their health

-Recognise that some behaviour is unacceptable, unhealthy or risky

-Christians belong to the church family which includes the school, parish and diocese

-Be aware of bullying (including cyber-bullying) and how to respond

-How to use technology safely

-To recognise their increasing independence brings increased responsibility to keep themselves and others safe

-That not all images, language and behaviour are appropriate

-To judge what kind of physical contact is acceptable and unacceptable and how to respond

-That there are a number of different organisations they can go to for help in different situations and how to contact them

-How to report and get help if they encounter inappropriate materials or messages

-Understanding the impact of their actions locally, nationally and globally

-Be self-giving able to put aside their own wants in order to serve others locally, nationally and globally

-Prophetic in their ability to identify injustice and speak out against it locally, nationally and globally

-God is Trinity – a communion of persons

-The key principles of Catholic Social Teaching

-The Church is the Body of Christ

-That there are some cultural practices that are against British law and universal rights

-That actions such as Female Genital Mutilation constitute abuse, are crimes and how to get support if they have fears for themselves or their peers

-That bacteria and viruses can affect health and that following simple routines can reduce their spread

-About the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and beyond and the importance of living in right relationship with one another

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YEAR 5

 

Ongoing

-Respectful of their own bodies character and giftedness

-Be appreciative of blessings

-Self-disciplined and able to delay or forego gratification for the sake of greater goods

-Be discerning in their decision making

-Be determined and resilient in the face of difficulty

-Be courageous in the face of new situations and in facing their fears

-We are special people made in the image and likeness of God

-Strategies to develop self-confidence and self esteem

-Each person has a purpose in the world

-Similarities and differences between people arise from different factors

-How to make informed choices that have an impact on their health

-Recognise that some behaviour is unacceptable, unhealthy or risky

-Christians belong to the church family which includes the school, parish and diocese

-Be aware of bullying (including cyber-bullying) and how to respond

-How to use technology safely

-To recognise their increasing independence brings increased responsibility to keep themselves and others safe

-That not all images, language and behaviour are appropriate

-To judge what kind of physical contact is acceptable and unacceptable and how to respond

-That there are a number of different organisations they can go to for help in different situations and how to contact them

-How to report and get help if they encounter inappropriate materials or messages

-Understanding the impact of their actions locally, nationally and globally

-Be self-giving able to put aside their own wants in order to serve others locally, nationally and globally

-Prophetic in their ability to identify injustice and speak out against it locally, nationally and globally

-God is Trinity – a communion of persons

-The key principles of Catholic Social Teaching

-The Church is the Body of Christ

-That there are some cultural practices that are against British law and universal rights

-That actions such as Female Genital Mutilation constitute abuse, are crimes and how to get support if they have fears for themselves or their peers

-That bacteria and viruses can affect health and that following simple routines can reduce their spread

-About the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and beyond and the importance of living in right relationship with one another

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YEAR 6

 

Ongoing

-Respectful of their own bodies character and giftedness

-Be appreciative of blessings

-Self-disciplined and able to delay or forego gratification for the sake of greater goods

-Be discerning in their decision making

-Be determined and resilient in the face of difficulty

-Be courageous in the face of new situations and in facing their fears

-We are special people made in the image and likeness of God

-Strategies to develop self-confidence and self esteem

-Each person has a purpose in the world

-Similarities and differences between people arise from different factors

-How to make informed choices that have an impact on their health

-Recognise that some behaviour is unacceptable, unhealthy or risky

-Christians belong to the church family which includes the school, parish and diocese

-Be aware of bullying (including cyber-bullying) and how to respond

-How to use technology safely

-To recognise their increasing independence brings increased responsibility to keep themselves and others safe

-That not all images, language and behaviour are appropriate

-To judge what kind of physical contact is acceptable and unacceptable and how to respond

-That there are a number of different organisations they can go to for help in different situations and how to contact them

-How to report and get help if they encounter inappropriate materials or messages

-Understanding the impact of their actions locally, nationally and globally

-Be self-giving able to put aside their own wants in order to serve others locally, nationally and globally

-Prophetic in their ability to identify injustice and speak out against it locally, nationally and globally

-God is Trinity – a communion of persons

-The key principles of Catholic Social Teaching

-The Church is the Body of Christ

-That there are some cultural practices that are against British law and universal rights

-That actions such as Female Genital Mutilation constitute abuse, are crimes and how to get support if they have fears for themselves or their peers

-That bacteria and viruses can affect health and that following simple routines can reduce their spread

-About the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and beyond and the importance of living in right relationship with one another

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