RSHE

At St. Mary and St John’s Catholic Primary school personal, social, health and economic (RSHE) education is an embedded part of our broad and balanced curriculum and permeates every aspect of school life from the EYFS to Y6. In the EYFS RSHE and citizenship is also taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded through the curriculum. The areas taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from the Development Matters in the EYFS and Early Learning Goals. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) is at the heart of our school ethos. Our RSHE education enables children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We provide our children with opportunities for them to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society, promoting British Values both explicitly and implicitly throughout their school life.

How RSHE is taught at St. Mary and St John Catholic Primary School?

• We have created a comprehensive and clear RSHE Policy that was developed in consultation with staff, pupils, parents and approved by the governing body. 
• We have a comprehensive long term scheme of work across from EYFS right they way through to Y6, that is in line with the DFE guidance 2020 and includes all of the Primary Relationships Education Statutory Learning Opportunities : Families and people who care for me, Caring Friendships, Respectful relationships, Online relationships, Being safe, Mental wellbeing, Internet safety and harms, Physical health and fitness, Healthy eating, Drugs, alcohol and tobacco, Health and prevention, Basic first aid and Changing adolescent body. 
• The distribution of the topics complements key campaigns throughout the year such as Anti-bullying week and Internet safety.
• In addition to Relationships Education we also teach aspects of Sex Education that is covered through the Journey in Love Scheme approved by the Archdiocese. 
• Alongside this we teach about different kinds of relationships so that our children have an understanding of the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain. 
• At St Mary and St John’s RSHE is taught at least weekly but there are also many opportunities to make cross curricular links. There may also be occasions where staff may feel it necessary to teach RSHE as a result of an issue that has arisen in class, on the playground or even at home. 
• Whole School Collective Worships make links to our RSHE scheme of work.
• Peer Massage, Mindfulness and Circle Time are all important aspects of our RSHE curriculum and school life.
• We believe that RSHE plays a vital part in primary education and as well as discrete focused lessons. It is embedded well into day to day life. 

We actively promote the nine Protected Characteristic, set out in the Equality Act 2010. These are:

• Age

• Gender Reassignment

• Disability

• Sex

• Marriage and Civil Partnership

• Race

• Religion and Belief

• Sexual Orientation

• Pregnancy and Maternity

 At St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, we are able to demonstrate that no form of discrimination is tolerated and that pupils show respect for those who share the protected characteristics. It is important that all children gain an understanding of the world they are growing up in, and learn how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people. At St Mary and St John’s, we do this by:

• Our school mission statement: In the light of Jesus, we learn to shine. 
• Our RSHE curriculum- children are given opportunities to develop age-appropriate knowledge and understanding through a well-planned and delivered curriculum
• Our school behaviour and relationships policies.
• Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community (T.I.S training achieved 2022)
• Assemblies and collective worship
• The promotion of British values in school life 
• Developing a love of reading through a range of authors and genres
• Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach (Picture News)
• Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
• Religious Education lessons- including other faiths
• Extra-curricular activities and trips
• Links with the local community

How will we measure the impact of our RSHE Curriculum? 

Our children will; 

• Demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty.

 • Our children will become healthy and responsible members of school and society respecting everyone equally and understanding the importance of the protected characteristics

 • Children will be well equipped socially and emotionally as they continue on their journey, preparing them for life and work in modern Britain. 

Class teachers complete an Individual Pupil Behaviour and Attitude Tracker that measures social and emotional aspects of learning. This is shared with pupils and parents and moves through school with the child from Reception through to Year 6.

The broad range of topics and themes developed in our RSHE lessons equip

pupils with personal, emotional, health and social skills that will benefit them 

in secondary school, further education, future workplaces and home life. 

Exploring and developing a wide range of RSHE skills at St Mary and St John 

gives children the opportunity to progress into confident and well-rounded 

young citizens who are able to develop healthy and happy relationships,

excellent values and positive personal characteristics to enable them to deal 

with the next stage of their lives.