Intention Statement
As part of our commitment to educate the whole child, Relationships, Health and Sex Education is provided from EYFS to Year 6. We endeavour to raise pupils’ self-esteem, help them to grow in knowledge and understanding, recognise the value of all persons and develop caring and sensitive attitudes. It is in this context that we commit:
In partnership with parents, we aim to provide children and young people with a “positive and prudent sexual education” (Gravissimum Educationis 1) which is compatible with their physical, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual maturity, and rooted in a Catholic vision of education and the human person.
We strive to develop the following attitudes and virtues:
- reverence for the gift of human sexuality and fertility;
- respect for the dignity of every human being – in their own person and in the person of others;
- joy in the goodness of the created world and their own bodily natures;
- responsibility for their own actions and a recognition of the impact of these on others;
- celebrating the gift of life-long, self-giving love;
- recognising the importance of marriage and family life;
To develop the following personal and social skills:
- making sound judgements and good choices which have integrity, and which are respectful of the individual’s commitments;
- loving and being loved, and the ability to form friendships and loving, stable relationships free from exploitation, abuse and bullying;
- managing conflict positively, recognising the value of difference;
- cultivating humility, mercy and compassion, learning to forgive and be forgiven;
- developing self-esteem and confidence, demonstrating self-respect and empathy for others;
- building resilience and the ability to resist unwanted pressures, recognising the influence and impact of the media, internet and peer groups and so developing the ability to assess pressures and respond appropriately;
- assessing risks and managing behaviours in order to minimise the risk to health and personal integrity.
To know and understand:
- the Church’s teaching on relationships and the nature and meaning of sexual love;
- the Church’s teaching on marriage and the importance of marriage and family life;
- the centrality and importance of virtue in guiding human living and loving;
- the physical and psychological changes that accompany puberty;
- the facts about human reproduction, how love is expressed sexually and how sexual love plays an essential and sacred role in procreation;
Rationale: ‘I HAVE COME THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL’ (Jn.10.10)
Implementation
At Saint Mary’s we have decided to adopt Life to the Full by Ten:Ten. 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 cited by the DfE as an example of good practice and is the only programme of study for RSHE from 3 – 18 years.
Ten Ten understands the important role parents have in educating their children and therefore provides an online Parent Portal to support families in facilitating open, healthy discussions on the topics covered in this subject. The portal provides example activities to support parent-child discussions, suggested conversation topics and how to answer difficult questions. Please find Saint Mary’s parents’ login details below:
Parent Portal: https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/parent-portal/
Username: st-marys-le11
Password: purple-rose
Impact
The Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RSE) and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has a positive and measurable impact on pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and readiness for life in modern Britain.
Because the curriculum is rooted in a Catholic vision of the human person and taught through the Life to the Full programme by Ten:Ten, pupils not only acquire essential knowledge but also develop strong values and positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
As a result:
Pupils develop respectful and healthy relationships. They learn to understand and appreciate the dignity of each person, forming friendships and relationships rooted in respect, kindness and empathy.
Children grow in confidence and self-esteem. Through age-appropriate RSE and PSHE lessons, pupils build a positive sense of identity, resilience to peer pressure, and improved emotional wellbeing.
Pupils make informed, safe choices. Students gain knowledge about physical and psychological changes, online safety, risks to health, and how to make decisions that protect their own wellbeing and that of others.
Learning supports spiritual, moral and social development. PSHE and RSE deepen pupils’ understanding of Catholic teaching on human dignity, virtue, family life and the value of community, contributing to their moral reasoning and ethical behaviour.
Attitudes and behaviour positively reflect learning. Across school life, pupils demonstrate greater empathy, more responsible decision-making, improved conflict-resolution skills, and a deeper respect for diversity and difference.
Parental partnership enhances impact. Engagement with the Ten:Ten parent portal supports constructive conversations at home, reinforcing learning and strengthening school–family relationships.
Overall, the impact of the RSHE curriculum is seen in pupils who are compassionate, resilient and well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate relationships, health and personal challenges positively and safely, both now and in the future.
Documentation
