St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Relationships and Health Education (RSE)

Ten:Ten Life to the Full

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, our Relationships, Sex and Health Education is rooted in our Catholic mission:

“Our community, growing and learning together with Christ.”

We believe that every child is made in the image and likeness of God, with unique dignity, value and purpose. Our curriculum supports children to understand themselves, care for their bodies, build healthy relationships, stay safe and grow in respect for themselves and others.

Since September 2020, Relationships Education and Health Education have been statutory in all primary schools in England. As a Catholic school, we teach this curriculum within the context of our faith, helping children to develop spiritually, morally, socially, emotionally and physically.

The education of children in relationships, health and human development is an important and privileged responsibility. The Church teaches that parents and carers are the first educators of their children. We therefore work in partnership with families, supporting parents and carers as they guide their children through these important areas of learning.

Our Programme: Life to the Full

We use Life to the Full by Ten:Ten Resources to support the delivery of our Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum.

Ten:Ten is a Catholic educational organisation with significant experience in supporting schools, parishes and families. The programme has been written specifically for Catholic schools and is approved for use within our diocese.

Life to the Full supports children to learn about:

🌟 being created and loved by God;
💛 respecting themselves and others;
👨‍👩‍👧 families and friendships;
🧍 caring for their bodies;
😊 feelings and emotional wellbeing;
🌱 growing up and puberty, taught in an age-appropriate way;
🛡️ personal safety and trusted adults;
💻 online safety;
🤝 living in community and showing respect for others.

The programme is carefully sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 and is taught in an age-appropriate way, in line with statutory guidance, safeguarding expectations and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

Ten:Ten recognises the vital role of parents and carers in educating children. The programme includes resources to help families understand what is being taught in school and to support conversations at home.

Throughout the year, we will inform parents and carers when more sensitive lessons are being taught, such as lessons about physical contact, body changes, puberty, online safety, harmful substances or personal safety.

Where appropriate, teachers may also share a short summary of the lesson and a parent support link via our usual school communication channels.

Parent Portal

Ten:Ten provides an Online Parent Portal to help families understand the programme.

The Parent Portal:

explains the statutory Relationships and Health Education curriculum;
shares the Catholic vision behind Life to the Full;
outlines what children will learn;
provides support for conversations at home;
includes resources, guidance and frequently asked questions;
helps parents and carers stay informed throughout the year.

Login details for the Parent Portal will be shared with parents and carers through our usual secure school communication channels.

Right to Withdraw

Parents and carers do not have the right to withdraw their child from statutory Relationships Education, Health Education or National Curriculum Science.

Parents and carers may request withdrawal from any non-statutory sex education taught outside the National Curriculum Science requirements. At St Mary’s, this only applies to selected age-appropriate content in Upper Key Stage 2.

Any parent or carer wishing to discuss this should contact the school so that we can explain the curriculum, share the relevant materials and talk through any questions or concerns.