Relationship, Sex and Health Education
In our school community we follow Jesus' commandment
"Love one another as I have loved you" John 13:34
This policy for Relationship, Sex and Health Education - (RSHE) is founded within the aims of
our school and is line with the Liverpool Archdiocese policy for RSHE (2021.)
In partnership with home and the parish, St Mary’s School seeks to provide an education that promotes a full understanding of the Catholic faith and a high quality education to meet the needs of all children.
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 Sex and Health Education therefore is rooted in the Catholic Church’s teaching of the human person and is presented positively and prudently.
A Journey in Love is a resource created by Sister Jude Groden of BRES. It is the recommended programme of study for Catholic schools for Sex and Relationship Education, and has been written as a progressive scheme of work that supports the Religious Education, PSHE and Science curricula taught within the school.
As children progress through school, they discover more and more about themselves and the wider world. This thirst for learning new things in all aspects of life is fostered by the school, who attempt to create a safe, stimulating environment for learning; supporting all children in their development. Our mission statement which drives the school, attempts to achieve this goal following the Gospel values of truth and respect, understanding our journey as children of God, both special and unique.
Central to our work within the school is learning about our faith, including understanding ourselves, our position in our community and how we develop as human beings – our spiritual, social, emotional and physical development. This is how A Journey in Love fits in to the school’s curriculum. The scheme permeates through all levels of learning throughout the school. It focuses on friendship, family, community, relationships and spirituality; a guide to the children’s development as young Catholics.
As you would expect, not all issues related to personal development are covered by the end of Year 6. The content is age appropriate and is taught with sensitivity, taking into account the children’s level of maturity in regard to the delivery of the lessons.
As with all aspects of learning, children are naturally curious and many will have questions related to their lessons. Opportunities to discuss questions form part of the lessons and, again, these are treated with care and understanding.
Below is an outline of the content covered in each year group.
Reception :- “God loves each of us in our uniqueness.” The focus of this work will be to understand that God has made us special and unique. They will explore the similarities and differences between each other.
Year 1 : - We meet God’s love in our family”. The focus of this work will be to understand that they are growing and developing as members of their own family and God’s family.
Year 2 : - We meet God’s love in the community”. The focus of this work will be to understand that they are growing and developing in a God-given community. They will be thinking about the different communities they belong to and their roles and responsibilities in these communities .
Year 3 : - “How we live in love”. The focus of this work will be to understand the virtues essential to friendship. They will consider who takes care of them, and how they need to begin to look after themselves and how they can be a good friend.
Year 4 : - “God loves us in our differences”. The focus of this work will be to celebrate differences as we grow and develop in the womb. They will consider how a baby grows in the womb and how we grow once we are born. They will look at who they are and how they are special and unique. They will also work on accepting their own talents and achievements and appreciating the gifts they have been given.
Year 5 : - “God loves me in my changing and development”. The focus of this work will be to become more aware of physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. They will be considering how their bodies will be changing as they grow older (including those changes linked directly to puberty) and how their behaviour changes as they grow older. The will also consider ways to become more sensitive towards the emotional development of themselves and others
Year 6 : - “The wonder of God’s love is creating new life”. The focus of this work will be to develop an understanding of sexuality, how human life is conceived, and grow further in their appreciation of their dignity and worth as children of God. They will consider and reflect on signs of love and the development of positive relationships. The children will also learn the science behind how a baby is made in this year group – it is important to know that this will be taught to a level appropriate for their age, and that their knowledge and understanding of this matter will be developed further at Secondary school.
Equality
At St Mary’s R.C. Primary School, in line with the 2017 Equality Act, we aim to: Eliminate discrimination.
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected
characteristic and people who do not share it.
Foster good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
