RSE

At St. Mark's RC Primary School, we believe that appropriate and responsible Sex Education is an important element in preparing pupils for adult life. The delivery of this subject matter calls for careful and sensitive treatment. Our school shares the responsibility with parents to ensure that the giving of this information is within the context of a Catholic, Christian community and that it is based on sound moral values

Intent:

We aim to provide a fully comprehensive curriculum which equips children with essential knowledge and understanding to enable them to build healthy and positive relationships with themselves, others and God.

Our children are growing up in an ever- changing world and may be influenced and affected by many different factors such as the online world and social media. Our programme covers a variety of topics including mental health and dealing with difficult emotions, respecting our bodies, puberty and changes, positive body image and by making healthy choices.

Through our Sex Education Curriculum, we want the children to acquire:

• Knowledge and understanding of the human person (emotional and physical)

• Strategies and skills to aid the making of informed choices.

• Positive attitudes towards self and others, self-esteem / self-respect and mutual appreciation and respect in all relationships.

Aims of the Curriculum:

To develop the following attitudes and virtues:

• Respect for the dignity of every human being – in their own person and in the person of others;

• Joy in the goodness of the created world and their own bodies;

• Responsibility for one’s actions and a recognition of the impact of these on others;

• Recognising and valuing their own sexual identity and that of others;

• Celebrating the gift of life-long love;

• Recognising the importance of marriage and family life;

• To develop the following personal and social skills:

• Making sound judgements and good choices;

• Loving and being loved, and the ability to form friendships and loving, stable relationships;

• Managing emotions within relationships including when relationships break down;

• Managing conflict positively, recognising the value of difference;

To develop the following personal and social skills:

• Making sound judgements and good choices;

• Loving and being loved, and the ability to form friendships and loving, stable relationships;

• Managing emotions within relationships including when relationships break down;

• Managing conflict positively, recognising the value of difference;

• Cultivating humility, mercy and compassion, learning to forgive and be forgiven;

• Developing self-esteem and confidence, demonstrating self-respect and empathy for others;

• Building resilience and the ability to resist unwanted pressures, recognising the influence and impact of the media, internet and peer groups;

To develop the following knowledge and understanding:

• The Church’s teaching on marriage and the importance of marriage and family life;

• The centrality and importance of virtue in guiding human living and loving;

• The physical and psychological changes that accompany puberty;

• The facts about human reproduction, how love is expressed sexually and how sexual love plays an essential and sacred role in procreation; (Parents may withdraw their child from this aspect of the curriculum)

These will be covered through five overlapping themes – moral, spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.