Saint Cuthbert’s is a Catholic Christian community serving Rochdale parishes upholding the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives follow the OFSTED 2002 Sex and Relationships Guidelines, including and reflecting the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Morals and values
The programme aims to develop a sense of morality enabling learners to value and respect themselves and others. Accepting diversity and having the ability through raised self esteem and self knowledge to make informed choices. Also to identify and recognise real happiness in healthy relationships.
If as a result of lesson content sensitive issues are brought to light, then these will be passed to the pastoral team following college safeguarding procedure.
To ensure that Catholic ethos is maintained SRE will be delivered by college staff, if outside agencies are involved then content will be checked prior to delivery to ensure that the material supports Catholic teaching.
In accordance with the Law parents have the right to withdraw learners from any aspect of SRE.
The SRE policy will be made available to all college stakeholders
The SRE policy as well as the learning and teaching outcomes will be regularly reviewed.
Matters of confidentiality will be followed in accordance to school procedure.
The SRE programme has been guided by the ‘All That I Am‘ programme developed by Birmingham Archdiocese Department of Education and also in accordance with Salford Diocesan Guidelines.
The key aim of the programme is to provide a resource that is founded on a Catholic understanding of the human person and an appreciation that human love is more than sexual expression, for the human person is made in the image and likeness of God and this dignity is inalienable.
SRE is the joint responsibility of college and home. Any work undertaken in the college is carried out within this context. SRE is delivered across the curriculum through Science, Social Studies and Religious Education; some aspects are also covered by the SEAL Programme.
This policy has been developed as a result of consultation with all Departments, a review of the existing policy and curriculum change.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION P ROGRAMME Promote healthy attitudes towards sexuality rooted in the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
Enable learners to be aware of personal, psychological emotional and physical changes in themselves and others.
Enable learners to understand the process of human reproduction.
Emphasise the role and value of marriage and family life.
Enable learners to understand the law in matters relating to sexual activity.
Inform learners of where they can obtain further information and advice.
Enable learners to develop knowledge, communication skills and understanding in order to facilitate personal decision making within a moral framework.
Generate an atmosphere where questions of a sexual nature can be asked and answered openly without embarrassment and trust is ensured.
Enable learners to understand the impact of external factors such as the media, internet, peer groups and to remain independent decision makers.
Enable learners to make positive, non-exploitive relationships. Sex and relationships education is taught with due regard to legal and moral considerations, with the explicit values of family life and supportive relationships. Among the values promoted are:
Respect for oneself and others.
The sanctity of life from conception.
Taking responsibility for your own actions in all situations.
Honesty and faithfulness in relationships.
The importance and the responsibilities of the family unit.
Being sensitive to own needs and those of other people.
Recognition of the physical, moral and emotional implications as well as the risks of certain types of behaviour.
Recognition and acceptance of differences in others.
LEARNING O
By the end of Key Stage 3 Learners will be able to: 1.Respect the sanctity of people as God’s creation.
2.Manage changing relationships. 3.Recognise risk to personal safety in sexual behaviour and be able to make safe decisions.
4.Ask for help and support. 5.Explain the relationship between their self-esteem and how they see themselves.
6.Develop skills of assertiveness in order to resist peer pressure and stereotyping. 7.See the complexity of moral, social and cultural issues and begin to form their own views.
8.Be tolerant of the diversity of personal, social and sexual preference in relationships. 9.Develop good interpersonal skills to sustain existing relationships as they grow and change and to help them make new relationships.
10.Recognise the stages of emotions in relation to loss and change caused by divorce, separation and new family members and how to manage their feelings positively. 11.Develop empathy with the core values of family life in all its variety of forms.
12.Recognise the need for commitment, trust and love in meaningful relationships, including marriage. Learners will know and have some understanding about: 1.Catholic Church teaching on sexuality and relationships.
2.Physical and emotional changes that take place during adolescence. 3.The human reproductive system including the menstrual cycle and fertilisation.
4.Human development, from conception to birth. 5.How good relationships can promote mental well being.
6.How the media influence understanding and attitudes towards sexual relationships. 7.The impact of positive self esteem and responsibility for own actions.
8.The law relating to sexual behaviour of young people. 9.How the growth and reproduction of bacteria and the replication of viruses transmitted through sexual activity can affect health.
10.When and where to get help, such as at a genitor-urinary medicine clinic.
11.The sources of advice and support and help.
Learners will have considered: 1.Their personal physical development in the context of human development.
2.Benefits of sexual activity within committed relationships. 3.How they see themselves affects self-confidence and behaviour.
4.Importance of respecting difference in relation to gender and sexuality. 5.Issues such as the costs of early sexual activity.
6.The un acceptability of prejudice and homophobic bullying. 7.What rights and responsibilities mean in relationships.
8.The application of the Catholic Church teaching on the sanctity of human life in the context of our society.
LEARNING O
By the end of Key Stage 4 Learners will be able to: 1.Relate the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church to their own life and decision making.
2.Recognise the influences and pressures around sexual behaviour and respond appropriately. 3.Manage emotions associated with changing relationships with parents, carers and friends.
4.See both sides of an argument, express and justify a personal opinion. 5.Have the determination to stand up for their beliefs and values.
6.Make informed choices about the pattern of their lifestyle which promotes well being. 7.Have the confidence to assert themselves and challenge offending behaviour.
8.Develop qualities of empathy and sympathy and the ability to respond emotionally to the range and depth of feelings within close relationships. 9.Work cooperatively with a range of people.
Learners will know and grow in understanding of: 1.The Roman Catholic Church teaching on sexual relationships.
2.How HIV and other sexually transmitted infections affect the body. 3.The law in relation to sexual activity for young people and adults.
4.The role of statutory and voluntary organisations and how to access support in crisis situations. 5.How their own identity is influenced by both their personal values and those of their family and society.
6.How to respond appropriately within a range of social relationships. 7.The qualities of good parenting and its value to family life.
8.Benefits of marriage or a stable partnership in bringing up children. 9.The way different forms of relationship including marriage depend form their success on maturity and commitment.
Learners will have considered:
1.Their developing sense of sexual identity and feel confident and comfortable with it.
2.How personal, family and social values influence behaviour. 3.The arguments around moral issues including abortions, contraception and the age of consent.
4.The individual contributions made by both partners in a sustained relationship and how these can be of joy or benefit to both. 5.The consequences of close relationships including having children and how this will create family ties which impact on their lives and those of others.
By the end of Key Stage 4 Learners
•Can assess their personal qualities, skills and achievements and use them to set future goals. They can present themselves confidently and use praise and criticism effectively. They can identify the range of post 16 options available to them and use careers advice and support networks to plan and negotiate their career pathways, setting realistic targets. They can use some of the financial tools and services available to them for managing their personal finances.
•Can recognise the short and long term consequences of personal health choices and make decisions based on this. They know some of the causes and symptoms and treatments of mental and emotional health disorders such as stress and depression, including the link between eating disorders and self image, and can identify strategies for preventing and addressing these. They can assess the risks and benefits associated with lifestyle choices such as sexual activity, and make safer choices based on this assessment. They know where to find professional health service advice and are confident in seeking it. •Can recognise diversity of ethnic and cultural groups. They can take the initiative in challenging and giving support in connection with offensive behaviour. They can develop relationships with a range of adults. •Can talk about relationships, feelings and emotions, and can identify ways of managing these in connection with family events. They understand the importance of different relationships and associated responsibilities including those of marriage, parenthood and family life.
By the end of Key Stage 5 learners will be able to:
•Accurately assess the context and apply the principles from n informed conscience to their behaviour in a given situation.
•Appreciate and evaluate the impact of the Church’s moral teaching upon personal beliefs, attitudes and conduct. •Understand and apply the moral teaching of the Church to lfe issues and be able to evaluate the conflict of values that may arise. •Apply and use the available tools of Christian living to their own moral stance and lifestyle. •Reprise and reflect on the Church’s teaching on conscience and the foundations of personal beliefs, values and attitudes; and be able to reflect on and evaluate recent past actions.