Relationships and Sex education - RSE

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

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 educators of their children • Catholic schools exist to support parents in the education of their children

THE NATIONAL CONTEXT where are we ? • 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

THE NATIONAL CONTEXT cont… • Sex and Relationships Education Guidance (2000) • IS NO LONGER VALID • 2014 • ‘supplementary’ guidance from PSHE Association and Sex Education Forum • BEFORE 2019 Academies • were not obliged to teach SRE but if they did, they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

Catholic Education Service Welcomes Government Announcement on RSE - 2018 • 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.”

NEW DRAFT STATUTORY GUIDANCE - Updated APRIL 2019 – Published May 2019 • DfE are introducing compulsory relationships education (R-ED) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) from September 2020 • Guidance will be reviewed every three years from Sept 2020 • Guidance is for maintained, non-maintained, independent, academies and free schools, maintained and non-maintained special schools, any alternative provision including pupil referral units • From Sept 2020 there will be an additional requirement to teach compulsory Health Education (HED) • Guidance on Health Education does not apply to independent schools – they must meet standards as set out in the Education Independent School Standards Regulations 2014

Government Announcement on Relationships and Sex Education - CES Statement Feb 2019 Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “We welcome this commitment by the Government to improve Relationships and Sex Education in all schools. “Catholic education is centred on the formation of the whole child and age appropriate RSE is an essential part of this. It is essential for creating well rounded young people, for equipping students to make good life choices, and for keeping our children safe. “As such, the Catholic schools’ sector is the only one in the country to have a comprehensive and holistic RSE curriculum for ages 3-19. The proposals announced by the Government today are compatible with the Catholic model curriculum. “In fact, the Government’s own statutory guidance recognises the Catholic RSE curriculum as an excellent example for schools to use and is one of the few external organisations the guidance referenced as best practice examples. “The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the prime educators of their children and we are pleased to see the Government sharing this fundamental principle.”

Regulations 2019 compulsory from Sept 2020 • Schools are free to determine how to deliver content of the guidance • It must be in the context of a broad and balanced curriculum • Content should be broken down into manageable units • Tables in the guidance set out what pupils should know ‘by the end of primary’ ‘by the end of secondary’ but unlike a programme of study, do not break down content by year or key stage • Carefully sequenced • Well planned • Monitored • Evaluated • IMPACT – can pupils/students articulate how to use their knowledge confidently in real life situations?

Learning about puberty has been placed in the new subject of health education • Guidance says that children should have ‘the vocabulary and confidence to report concerns or abuse – but does not list the vocabulary • For secondary school pupils, the guidance is extremely clear about the scope of factual knowledge needed to support good sexual health: • the full range of contraceptive choices; Catholic schools must not promote but educate and teach in-line with Church teaching • the facts and choices around pregnancy; Catholic schools must not promote but educate and teach in-line with Church teaching • information on sexually transmitted infections and how to get help from services.

Curriculum delivery • Can be delivered as part of a timetabled PSHE programme • MUST be able to monitor and evaluate the outcomes • R-ED, RSE and H-ED should compliment NOT replace or duplicate content in Nat. Curr. 2014 • Best practice will make links to other Nat. Curr. subjects • Academies and Independent schools should ensure it is clearly timetabled as Nat. Curr. does not apply

Curriculum delivery • Make pupils/students aware of social media and internet influence • Exaggerated profiles; what people are prepared to say on-line etc. • Ensure pupils/students know how to keep themselves safe and their personal information safe

School Policy • Schools will be required to consult with parents when developing and reviewing their policy for RSE, which will inform schools’ decisions on when and how certain content is covered – schools MUST make sure that even those parents/carers that are hard to reach are fully informed and given the opportunity to be part of the consultation/policy formation • Policies should be reviewed at least every three years from 2020 in-line with governmental R-ED and RSE guidance review • Policies MUST be published on-line and made available to any individual free of charge • Schools MUST ensure all resources used to support the teaching and learning of Sex Education are shared/reviewed by parents/carers

SEX Education in Primary schools • It is NOT COMPULSORY to teach SEX Education in primary schools other than what is included in the Statutory Guidance for Science. Nat. Curr. 2014 • Primary schools MAY choose to teach Sex Education over and above Nat. Curr. 2014Science and if so MUST consult with parents/carers WHAT and HOW it is taught • Parents/carers have an automatic right to withdraw their child from these lessons as NOT COMPULSORY

RELIGION AND BELIEF, INCLUDING TEACHING IN SCHOOLS WITH A RELIGIOUS CHARACTER – from DfE Guidance 2019 19. A good understanding of pupils’ faith backgrounds and positive relationships between the school and local faith communities help to create a constructive context for the teaching of these subjects. 20. In all schools, when teaching these subjects, the religious background of all pupils must be taken into account when planning teaching, so that the topics that are included in the core content in this guidance are appropriately handled. Schools must ensure they comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010, under which religion or belief are amongst the protected characteristics.

Schools with a Religious Character • Schools with a religious character can build on the core content by reflecting their beliefs in their teaching • Many faith organisations produce teaching materials that schools can choose to use to support their teaching • Schools should assess resources available and ensure they: • are age appropriate • consider the maturity of pupils/students • are sensitive to the needs of ALL pupils/students • are mindful of the SEND code of practice when planning • consider protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 • provide opportunity to reflect Church teaching (A&B)

Right of Withdrawal from R-Ed, H-ED & RSE • There is NO RIGHT to withdraw from Relationships Education or H-ED at primary or secondary • Parents/carers will have a right to withdraw their child from Sex Education delivered as part of RSE in secondary schools which, unless there are exceptional circumstances, should be granted up to three terms before their child turns 16 • Parents/carers DO HAVE the right to withdraw their child from Sex Education in primary school • Schools should keep accurate records of these discussions and record: • the final decision of parents/carers • HTs recommendations – benefits of receiving education • any detrimental effects for the child/student being excluded • discussions regarding parents/carers delivering RSE at home • If the student themselves wishes to receive Sex Education rather than be withdrawn, the school should make arrangements for this to happen in one of the three terms before the child turns 16 - the legal age of sexual consent • It is the school’s responsibility to provide purposeful education during period of withdrawal.

Religion and belief, including teaching in schools with a religious character DfE Guidance 2019 21. All schools may teach about faith perspectives. In particular, schools with a religious character may teach the distinctive faith perspective on relationships, and balanced debate may take place about issues that are seen as contentious. For example, DRAFT 13 the school may wish to reflect on faith teachings about certain topics as well as how their faith institutions may support people in matters of relationships and sex. 22. In all schools, teaching should reflect the law (including the Equality Act 2010) as it applies to relationships, so that young people clearly understand what the law allows and does not allow, and the wider legal implications of decisions they may make 39. Foundation governors and trustees of faith academy trusts will also have wider responsibilities in relation to maintaining and developing the religious ethos of their schools.

Teaching vs Promotion Subjects are designed to foster respect for others and for difference, and educate pupils about healthy relationships – the subjects covered DON’T PROMOTE they EDUCATE This should include age-appropriate teaching about different types of relationships in the context of the law It is expected that secondary schools include LGBT content when teaching about different types of relationships In primary schools there is no specific requirement for this – it is encouraged if it is age – appropriate to do so through the teaching of different types of families

Teaching vs Promotion • Staff have an important role to play in modelling positive behaviours tackling stereotypes and building tolerance – respect and understanding • DfE advice is available to support https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexual-violence-and-sexual-harassment-between-children-in-schools-and-colleges

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.

Working with Parents/carers • Schools MUST work with parents/carers at every stage of the development of their R-ED if they are to include SEX Education. • Parents/carers MUST be included in monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the R-ED/RSE curriculum. • Parents/carers MUST be involved in agreeing and evaluating the materials used PRIOR to the delivery of RSE if this is to be included • 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 Sex Education EXCEPT in those elements which are statutory - elements required by the Nat. Curr. for Science.

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

Governors • The 1996 Education act places the responsibility for the school’s policy on Sex Education in the hands of the governors. • Must be responsible for provision – staffing, timetabling, resources, monitoring and evaluation. • Must ensure the policy complies with statutory requirements – new guidance compulsory form SEPT 2020. • Should ensure they acknowledge the responsibility of the HT and CTs to use their professional expertise in delivering the curriculum. • Foundation Govs and trustees of faith academy trusts must also ensure schools maintain and develop the religious ethos of the school and Church teaching. • Essential that parents/carers are involved in developing and renewing the policy.

Governors will • Draw up an up-to-date R- ED and Sex Education policy fit for purpose in consultation with parents/carers and teachers. • Ensure it is made available to parents/carers. • Ensure that parents/carers are aware of their right to withdraw from Sex Education teaching and learning. • 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, R-ED and Sex Education if appropriate. • 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.

Headteacher • Overall delegated responsibility for implementing 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 from Sex Education (section 405 Ed. Act 1996) • MUST ensure there is a statement in the school prospectus on R-ED and Sex Education and details of the curriculum is kept up to date on the school website. MANDATORY • MUST appoint a suitable and appropriately trained coordinator responsible for monitoring and evaluating provision and impact of teaching and learning.

R-Ed H-ED - RSE Coordinator • Responsible for supporting other members of staff. • Provide a lead in dissemination of information. • Provide CPD. • Ensure all teachers are familiar with Church’s vision and teaching of R-ED and RSE. • Supported by the curriculum leader and SAFEGUARDING officer. • Provide parents/carers opportunities for consultation. • Ensure parents/carers are made aware of their right to withdraw from Sex Education.

Teachers • Expected to work within the agreed framework outlined in school policy. • Should have been included in the development of policy and aware of how policy relates to their work in the Catholic 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.

visitors and outside agencies • Should KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT the Catholic school’s beliefs and values as set out in the school policy. • Schools should always check credentials and ask to see materials they will use, and agree lesson plans in advance. • 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 pupils’/students’ learning – within the Catholic character of the school.

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 R-ED and RSE teaching in Catholic schools is in accordance with Catholic principles and excellent in its own right.

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 • CES model RSE curriculum 2016 https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/relationship-sex-education

SECONDARY CURRICULUM • Diocesan approved programme is A Journey in Love • CES model RSE curriculum 2016 https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/relationship-sex-education

Relationships and Sex education - RSE