In the academic year 2020/21, Relationships, Sex and Health Education will become statutory in all secondary schools in England. This new subject will build on the non-statutory lessons we have previously taught in RSE.
As a Catholic school, our mission is to support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all of our pupils, rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the Church. The education of children in human sexuality is an important, precious and privileged responsibility. The Church teaches us that this is very much a partnership with parents, in which parents are the ‘first educators’ of their children on these matters; ultimately, you confer on us the right to co-educate your children with you.
We have been researching various programmes that are available and have decided to adopt Life to the Full by Ten Ten Resources. Ten Ten is an award-winning Catholic educational organisation that is well-respected and very experienced in this field of work.
Life to the Full has been approved by our diocese. Furthermore, Ten Ten have entered into a partnership with the Catholic Education Service and the Department for Education to provide training for teachers in Catholic schools on the subject of the new statutory curriculum. Therefore, we are confident that this programme is a very good fit for our school.
Through their programme, Ten Ten understand the foundational role that parents have in educating and nurturing their children on these matters. Within the programme, they have built in resources which will not only keep you informed about what is being taught in school, but will also give you the opportunity to engage your children in discussion, activity and prayer.
The lessons are delivered via pre-recorded videos, that contain opportunities to think, discuss, and reflect. This will play a large basis of how the lessons are carried out remotely.
The unit of work will cover the following areas, which are some of the areas our pupils have also studied during their PSHCE sessions.
A password will be needed to access the lessons which will be issued by your child’s RE teacher.
Session 1: The Search for Love
Vision: The desire to love and be loved links to God’s plan for romantic love, sexual attraction, and intimacy.
Session 2: Love People, Use Things
Vision: Objectification has a negative impact whether it occurs in casual sex, pornography or masturbation.
Session 3: In Control of My Choices
Vision: Love and lust, shame and regret are the key issues when thinking about choosing to delay sexual intimacy.
Session 4: Fertility and Contraception
Vision: Knowing about methods for managing conception aids reflection on why they uphold or contravene God’s plan for sex.
Session 5: Marriage
Vision: Learning about different types of committed relationships leads to consideration of what relationships are desired in the future.
Session 6: One Hundred Percent
Vision: Consent is not just gaining permission for something but involves choosing to honour and respect one another as persons with innate dignity.
Session 7: Knowing my rights and responsibilities
Vision: Becoming aware of the effects of actions on others helps us understand the concept of social responsibility.
We hope that our approach not only assures you about the new subject we are going to undertake; we hope that this will be an important and exciting opportunity for our entire school community.
Should you have any worries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any member of the RE department.