The Department for Education has announced changes to relationships and sex education (RSE).

The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019, made under sections 34 and 35 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, make Relationships Education compulsory for all pupils receiving primary education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory for all pupils receiving secondary education. They also make Health Education compulsory in all schools except independent schools. Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) continues to be compulsory in independent schools.

This means that all children will be required to receive Relationships Education in Primary and Secondary School. For all schools, Sex Education as part of the science curriculum remains the same. Sex Education as part of RSE for primary is not compulsory, however schools may choose to deliver this as part of a timetabled PSHE programme.

These changes have begun to come into effect from September 2020 and all schools will be required to comply with the updated requirements.

Much of this already underpins everything we do as a school.  Relationships is a key element of our school ethos and is built into our entire curriculum. 

Throughout lockdown you all joined in many parts of our RSE curriculum through Gospel Liturgies, RE lessons and weekly Statements to Live by sessions.

In light of these changes to requirements for relationships and sex education (RSE), we are now consulting with parents, governors and staff on how we can make sure that our updated RSE curriculum that has been in place this year meets the new requirements as well as the needs of our pupils.

We have worked carefully to make sure that this reflects:

● Our pupils’ age and maturity levels

● The values of our schools

● Every pupil’s learning needs

● What pupils need to know to be healthy and safe in school, in their personal relationships and in the wider world

All of our RSE documents are available on our website and are available in paper format from the school office. The following document may also be of use to you: Relationships Education – Department for Education Guideline.

We propose to continue to use “A Journey in Love” which is a recommended scheme we have been successfully using and is approved by the diocese. It has been written as a progressive scheme of work that supports our schemes of work for RE, PSHE and Science. “A Journey of Love” focuses on friendship, family, community, relationships and spirituality and will support the children’s development as young Catholics in the 21st century. The content of the scheme of work is age appropriate and will be taught with sensitivity taking into account the children’s level of maturity in regard to the delivery of lessons. “A Journey in Love” guide for parents can be found on the website. Teaching materials are also available upon request.

Comments from parents on our RSE curriculum are welcome. Please submit your comments via the form on the website. Click on the link below to access this form.