RSE (Relationships and Sex Education)
New Guidance - 2026
The Department for Education has recently published updated guidance relating to Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE).
As a school, we have therefore updated our RSE policy and are pleased to share our new draft Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy. This policy is based on the model templates and guidance provided by the Catholic Education Service (CES) and our Diocese, ensuring that our approach reflects both statutory requirements and the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.
As a Catholic school, we are committed to delivering Relationships and Sex Education in a way that is faithful to our mission, supports the dignity of every person, and promotes healthy relationships and personal development within the context of the Catholic faith.
Information about the consultation process, including a consultation letter and supporting materials, has been shared with parents and carers. We value the views of our school community and will review all feedback carefully. The outcomes of the consultation will be shared once the process has been completed.
RSE in SMSS
As a part of your child’s educational experience at St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education that gives children and young people the knowledge, under-standing, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
This means that we have reviewed our RSE (Relationship and Sex Education) curriculum and policy so we can be sure our RSE provision is appropriate for our pupils based on their:
- Age
- Physical and emotional maturity
- Religious and cultural backgrounds
- Special educational needs and disabilities
RSE is part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. It should be carried out as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life.
(Catholic Education Service)
Catholic schools are required to deliver RSE in accordance with the teaching of the church. This approach is compatible with the guidance issued by the DfE.
Life to the Full
At St Mary Star of the Sea, we will be using the Ten:Ten programme for Catholic primary schools, Life to the Full, to teach Relationships Education and Health Education within the context of a Christian understanding of human sexuality rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the Catholic Church.
We will deliver this teaching through the prism of Catholic RSHE. The framework of our programme is taken from the Model Catholic RSE Programme by the Catholic Education Service, which has been highlighted by the Department of Education as a work of good practice.
Life to the Full is a fully resourced Scheme of Work in Relationships and Health Education (RHE) for Catholic primary schools which embraces and fulfils the new statutory curriculum. Taught with a spiral approach to learning, in which pupils will revisit the same topics at an age-appropriate stage through their school life, the programme includes teaching about personal health, physical and emotional wellbeing, strong emotions, private parts of the body, personal relationships, family structures, trusted adults, growing bodies, puberty, periods, life cycles, the dangers of social media, where babies come from, an understanding of the Common Good and living in the wider world. The entire teaching is underpinned with a religious 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.
Please note: When puberty and change are taught parents will be informed beforehand to support communication at home.
