RSE at St Philip Howard
‘I HAVE COME THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL’ (JN.10.10)
Given that RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) has become statutory for all schools,
we are embracing “the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life” by
giving pupils knowledge “that will enable them to make informed decisions about their
wellbeing, health and relationships” (DFE Statutory Guidance).
RSE forms an integral part of our SPHE* programme. Lessons are delivered by form
tutors as part of a fortnightly schedule and some content is delivered in Religious
Studies lessons. As a Catholic school, our RSE curriculum aligns with both the statutory
requirements set by the Department for Education (DfE) and the guidelines from the
Catholic Education Service (CES). To ensure that RSE is taught within the framework of
our Catholic values, we incorporate resources from the Ten Ten programme, “Life to the
Full” into our lessons, this ensures RSE is delivered from the context of a Christian
understanding of human sexuality rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the Catholic
Church.
Our curriculum addresses the needs of young people and where they are at in today’s
world. The teaching includes lessons on the following key areas (amongst many others):
puberty, personal hygiene, fertility, menstruation, family and friends, sexual intimacy, an
understanding of the body, sexuality, marriage, gender, online relationships, social
media, consent, STIs, contraception and natural family planning, as well as the effect of
drugs and alcohol on relationships and sexual exploitation.
