The Bishops’ Conference Department of Catholic Education and Formation have produced two documents (Learning to Love and Relationship and Sex Education in Catholic Schools) to assist parents and schools in the delivery of high-quality Catholic Relationship and Sex Education. Parents are the primary educators of their children, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as RSE. Therefore, Catholic schools must collaborate extremely closely with parents to ensure RSE is delivered in an appropriate way. These documents will assist in this essential dialogue, informing parents as to why the Bishops consider RSE to be an essential part of the formation of the whole child and how it can be delivered in a manner authentic to Church teaching.

RSE in Catholic Schools – Bishops’ Conference Department

Learning to Love

A Model Policy for Relationships and Sex Education

A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum- Primary

A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum- Secondary

Catholic RSE Quality Standard

It provides a framework for the expected standards of RSE in terms of:

1. Policies
2. Leadership and Management
3. Developmental Teaching and Learning
4. Assessment and Evaluation
5. Working with Parents and the Wider School Community
6. Partnership Engagement

Good Practice in Developing a School RSE Policy

The document contains some suggested processes by which a school governing body might review and develop its policy on RSE. It is applicable to both primary and secondary schools and consists of eight successive steps. Schools may wish to consider whether to assign the first three or four steps to a small group of governors and staff, and to involve a wider group in the remaining steps.

Governor Audit for Monitoring RSE

This checklist is to support the school’s processes of self-evaluation and should be completed in partnership with governors and those responsible for RSE in the school.

Outstanding RSE in Catholic Context

This example shows how sex and relationships education is delivered comprehensively and effectively in a Catholic context as part of the PSHE programme. Teachers deal extremely well with sensitive and controversial issues ensuring that students feel secure and able to express their opinions and reach their own judgements.

Who is Responsible for Teaching RSE?

It discusses:

• Parish and Diocese
• Parents and carers
• Governors
• The Headteachers
• Teachers and other members of staff
• Visitors and external agencies including the school nurse or any on-site health clinic

Catholic RSE Quality Standard

Good Practice in Developing a School RSE Policy

The document contains some suggested processes by which a school governing body might review and develop its policy on RSE. It is applicable to both primary and secondary schools and consists of eight successive steps. Schools may wish to consider whether to assign the first three or four steps to a small group of governors and staff, and to involve a wider group in the remaining steps.

Governor Audit for Monitoring RSE

This checklist is to support the school’s processes of self-evaluation and should be completed in partnership with governors and those responsible for RSE in the school.

Who is Responsible for Teaching RSE?

1. Parents and carers
2. Governors
3. The Headteachers
4. Teachers and other members of staff
5. Visitors and external agencies including the school nurse or any on-site health clinic
6. Parish and Diocese