Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

A Journey In Love

 

This programme has been revised to take account of the latest DFE mandatory guidelines for September 2020

A Journey in Love’ is the RSE scheme (Relationship and Sex Education) that we use at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School. It is the recommended programme of study for Catholic schools for Relationship and Sex 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 our 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. ‘A Journey in Love’ highlights the importance of parental input and children will be told to discuss their lessons at home.

 

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from Sex Education at any time if you wish to do so however, this is not to be confused with the topics around growing and life cycles within the Science curriculum which is a statutory requirement.

A Journey in Love programme content:

An aspect of the mystery of love is taught in each year group; children are encouraged to marvel at the wonder and beauty of God’s creative love. This is reflected through a series of progressive and developmental tasks, activities and reflections which focus on physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development. An overview of our RHSE curriculum can be found here: 

Contents:

• Early Years – The wonder of being special and unique

• Year One – We meet God’s love in our family

• Year Two – We meet God’s love in the community

• Year Three – How we live in hope

• Year Four – God loves us in our differences

• Year Five – God loves us in our changing and developing

• Year Six – The wonder of God’s love in creating new life

Below, you can see the PowerPoint slides for each year group so you can see exactly what is covered in each year group:

The team of compilers with interdisciplinary skills drew upon their diverse and rich experience in education, medicine and pastoral theology.

• Dr Sathi Aiya, Emeritus Consultant Physician in the NHS;

• Ilse Brockling, Founder, CEO and Director of Children’s Health Projects;

• Fr David Clemens, Parish Priest, Analytical Psychologist and Film Script Writer;

• Sarah Feist, Adviser for Religious Education and Catholic Ethos, in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton;

• Shaun Kelliher, Deputy Headteacher and former senior nurse in the NHS;

• Patrick Harrison, Adviser for the Diocese of Southwark

 

Special features:

• Foreword by Baroness Sheila Hollins.

• An exploration of the mystery of love enriched by the interdisciplinary expertise and skills of its authors.

• Three age-related units in each year group that give children an experience of connecting every aspect of growth: Social, emotional, physical and spiritual.

• Introductory section with Church teaching for teachers.

• Ready to use suggested questions, possible activities with concluding reflection.

• Perspectives on marriage.

• FAQs from parents.

• FAQs from children.

• Glossary.

• Grid linking some DFE guidance.