RHE
Relationship and Health Education (RHE) is an important part of PSHE education. Relationships education is compulsory for all primary school pupils and is taught in every class using Life to the Full.
This programme is based on the Department of Education guidance which became statutory during the academic year 2020/21. This programme is rooted in a Christian understanding of the human person, based on “A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum” provided by the Catholic Education Service. RSE is the overarching term for Relationship and Health Education in Primary, and Relationship and Sex Education in Secondary.
We follow 'pathway 3' of the Life to the Full programme. This allows us to fulfil the statutory curriculum and ensure that RHE is taught through a spiral approach where pupils will revisit the same topics at an age-appropriate stage through their school life:
- Children change and grow; their level of engagement will increase as they develop their social, moral, cultural and spiritual awareness and understanding.
- The learning will be embedded as children build upon what they have previously learned – a truly spiral curriculum.
- Some sessions can be omitted one year if the school feel that children are not quite ready, or they have surpassed that stage of learning; similarly, particular focus can be given to certain topics if it is felt that is needed.
Life to the full includes teaching about:
- Personal health.
- Physical and emotional well-being.
- Private parts of the body.
- Personal relationships.
- Family structures.
- Trusted adults.
- Growing bodies.
- Puberty and periods.
- Life cycles.
- Online safety and the dangers of social media.
- Understanding the Common Good and living in the wider world.
The entire teaching is underpinned with a Christian faith understanding that our deepest identity is as a child of God – created, chosen and loved by God. The programme is fully inclusive of all pupils and their families.
Link to information for parents, including the online parent portal:
RHE Statutory Guidance: