1. Relationships and Sex education - RSE
IN Catholic Primary/secondary Schools In the
Diocese of Arundel and Brighton

2. THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CONTEXT
God is Love – a Trinity of Persons
Parents share in God’s on-going work of Creation
To be human is to be in relationship
Parents are the first and educators of their children
Catholic schools exist to support parents in the education of their children

3. THE NATIONAL CONTEXT Education Act 1996 (Sections 403 and 405)
SRE elements of NC Science in maintained Primary and Secondary schools
Maintained secondary schools must provide RSE and include teaching on HIV, AIDS and STI’s
All other elements of PSHE including SRE are non-statutory
All maintained schools must have fit-for-purpose policy
Education Act 2002 (Section 101(1)
Primary schools may provide sex education
Learning and Skills Act 2000
When providing RSE, all schools must have regard to the Sex and Relationships Education Guidance published in 2000

4. THE NATIONAL CONTEXT Sex and Relationships Education Guidance (2000)
Remains latest guidance
Recommends that SRE is planned and delivered as part of PSHE and Citizenship. Schools are expected to have an overall policy on PSHE and Citizenship which includes SRE.
2014
‘supplementary’ guidance from PSHE Association and Sex Education Forum
Academies
are not obliged to teach SRE but if they do, they must have regard to the SRE guidance issued by the Secretary of State.
Justine Greening ( the then secretary for education) called for a review of RSE and a call for evidence in Dec 2017

5. Catholic Education Service Welcomes Government Announcement on RSE
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP KC*HS, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service said;
“Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) forms part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. Our schools have a long track record of educating young people who are prepared for adult life as informed and engaged members of society, and high quality RSE plays an important part of this.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to improving Relationship and Sex Education in all schools. Catholic schools already teach age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education in both primary and secondary schools. This is supported by a Catholic model RSE curriculum which covers the RSE curriculum from nursery all the way through to sixth form.
“We additionally welcome the Government’s commitment to protect parental right of withdrawal and involve parents in all stages of the development and delivery of RSE in all schools. It is essential that parents fully support the school’s approach to these sensitive matters. The experience of Catholic schools is that parental involvement is the basis for providing consistent and high quality RSE at home and at school.
“We look forward to working closely with the Government to shape any new guidance to enable Catholic schools to continue to deliver outstanding RSE, in accordance with parents’ wishes and Church teaching.”

6. Who is responsible for teaching RSE?
Parents/carers are the first educators of their children.
It is their right and responsibility to inform and educate their children.
Particularly in sexual development.
Schools should always seek to work in partnership with parents/carers.
Teaching in school should COMPLEMENT not REPLACE the primary role of parents/carers.
Schools should assist parents/carers in these duties.
Schools have a privileged role in collaborating with parents/carers.
Many parents/carers welcome the school’s support and contributions to the teaching of RSE.

7. Working with Parents/carers
Schools MUST work with parents/carers at every stage of the development of their RSE programme.
Parents/carers MUST be included in monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the RSE curriculum.
Parents/carers MUST be involved in agreeing and evaluating the materials used PRIOR to the delivery of RSE.
The school’s RSE policy MUST be made easily available to parents/carers - this should include information about the parents’/carers’ right to withdraw their children from the RSE programme EXCEPT in those elements which are statutory - elements required by the Nat. Curr. for Science.

8. Best practice
Is when:
Parents/carers are encouraged to engage with the RSE programme of teaching and then follow up at home if and where necessary.
Information regarding RSE is communicated through curriculum information evenings/presentations and newsletters sent home and/or communicated through the schools’ website or media such as ‘parent-mail’.
Schools run workshops for parents/carers to talk constructively with their children and other parents/carers.
Schools fulfil their mandatory duty and publish the RSE curriculum on their school website.
Schools regularly review and update their RSE curriculum and resources and liaise with Governors, all staff, pupils & parents/carers. ( where appropriate the Parish Priest)

9. Governors
The 1996 Education act places the responsibility for the school’s policy on RSE in the hands of the governors.
Must be responsible for provision.
Must ensure the policy complies with statutory requirements.
Should ensure they acknowledge the responsibility of the HT and CTs to use their professional expertise in delivering the curriculum.
Essential that parents/carers are involved in developing and renewing the RSE policy.

10. Governors will
Draw up an up-to-date RSE policy fit for purpose in consultation with parents/carers and teachers.
Ensure the RSE policy is made available to parents/carers.
Ensure that parents/carers are aware of their right to withdraw.
Ensure that policy is in line with other curriculum policies and IN LINE WITH THE TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Ensure that the policy provides proper and adequate coverage of the Nat. Curr. for Science and the setting of RSE within PSHE.
Ensure that provision is included in the school’s self evaluation and developments are fed into school Development Plan.
Review the resources used – complete a Governor Audit once a year.

11. Headteacher
Overall delegated responsibility for implementing the RSE policy
Will liaise with teachers, the Governing Body, parents/carers, the diocese, LEA and those responsible for academies etc.
Should make alternative arrangements if parents/carers withdraw their child/ren (section 405 Ed. Act 1996)
MUST ensure there is a statement in the school prospectus on RSE and details of the RSE curriculum is kept up to date on the website. MANDATORY
MUST appoint a suitable and appropriately trained RSE coordinator.

12. RSE Coordinator Responsible for supporting other members of staff.
Provide a lead in dissemination of information.
Provide CPD in RSE.
Ensure all teachers are familiar with Church’s vision and teaching of RSE.
Supported by the curriculum leader and SAFEGUARDING officer.
Provide parents/carers opportunities for consultation on RSE programme.
Ensure parents/carers are made aware of their right to withdraw.

13. Teachers
Expected to work within the agreed framework outlined in school policy.
Should have been included in the development of the RSE policy and aware of how the policy relates to their work in the school.
Should be appropriately trained to deliver the programme.
Foster a responsibility of care as well as academic progress – contribute to the physical, moral and spiritual well-being of all pupils.

14. visitors and outside agencies
Should KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT the Catholic school’s beliefs and values as set out in the school RSE policy.
Working with outside agencies and visitors make a valuable contribution to the well-being of pupils.
Will need to work in collaboration with the teacher to establish boundaries about personal questions and ensure the visitor is adequately trained to join in the classroom setting.
School should ensure that their contribution will enhance their learning – within the Catholic character of the school.

15. diocese
Diocesan advisers will provide support and training where necessary including updates on statutory requirements.
It is the role of the Bishop, through his delegated authority to ensure all RSE teaching in Catholic schools is in accordance with Catholic principles and excellent in its own right.

16. The Diocesan Approved Programme
Journey in Love - primary and secondary - McCrimmons
A Journey in Love Supporting DVD
The programmes have a Bishops’ Imprimatur – free from doctrinal error and in no way contradicts the teaching of the Catholic church
Makes links to Physical, Social, Emotional, Intellectual & Spiritual well being
Suggested activities up to Y4
Y5 & Y6 more of a teaching tool to impart knowledge
The programme WILL need teachers to create stimulating resources to support it, just like any other curriculum subject

17. SECONDARY CURRICULUM Diocesan approved programme is A Journey in Love
CES model RSE curriculum 2016