^{Relationship, Sex & Health Education (RSHE)}

^{Catholic schools, like all other schools in England, are required to produce a written policy following the guidance issued by the Department for Education on Relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSHE) and health education.} 

Why is RSHE in Catholic Schools important?

RSHE is part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. It should be carried out as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life.

What does outstanding RSHE in Catholic school look like?

In order for Catholic RSHE to be fully effective it needs to:

• Be faithful to the Church's vision of human wholeness whilst recognising the contemporary context in which we live today;
• Involve parents as they are primary educators of their child;
• Provide a positive view of human sexuality and dignity of the human person;
• Equip young people with the ability to make practical judgements about the right thing to do in particular circumstances;
• Explore and promote virtues which are essential to promoting respect and dignity;
• Be delivered in an age appropriate way which reflects the development of the child;
• Be part of the cross-curricular work in both primary and secondary schools;
• Be sensitive to the needs of the individual pupil and recognise the mix of pupils with different sexual orientations, genders and family backgrounds in each class;
• Be taken seriously by governors and teachers as an integrated part of the broad and balanced curriculum that Catholic schools offer;
• Be delivered by competent professionals who understand the Church's teaching.

At St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, we use Life to the Full Scheme of Work.
 

Life to the Full, teaches the children that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and, as a consequence, gender and sexuality are God’s gift, reflect God’s beauty and share in divine creativity. By following the scheme, the children can grow and develop with a true understanding of their gender and its implications for successful relationships in life.