St Gabriel's C.E. Middleton
Relationships and Sex Education
Dear Parents/Carers,
At St Gabriel’s, we have always recognised the crucial role PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) plays in the education and wellbeing of all our children. It has always been an integral part of our curriculum, taught both as stand-alone sessions and through cross curricular learning. Our PSHE curriculum gives children and young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
As you may already be aware, the Department for Education has announced changes to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) following nationwide consultation. These changes became statutory from June 2021.
Following a successful consultation process with parents we are pleased to inform you that our curriculum map is now in place and RSE lessons have begun at St Gabriel’s as part of our wider PSHE curriculum.
The statutory government guidance can be found at:
The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up will give children and young people the information, skills and positive values to have safe, fulfilling relationships and help them take responsibility for their own well-being. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), along with Health Education, is now statutory, and form part of the National Curriculum.
In order to ensure that all the statutory requirements are covered throughout school in a sensitive and age appropriate way, St Gabriel’s are now following an online scheme of work, provided by 'Coram Life Education' called 'SCARF' (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship). This scheme does not only ensure that the statutory objectives are taught but also combines them with additional PSHE objectives, ensuring our children are given the tools to become, life- long learners and acquire personal skills and attributes to help them in their future lives.
Another reason behind our choice in following the 'SCARF' curriculum resource, is their understanding of Christian values. Coram Life Education states:
“The RSE elements of SCARF are based on the SCARF values of Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship. We believe that all children deserve to be safe, cared for and to learn the skills they need to develop healthy relationships. We feel there is a natural fit between these values and the ethos of schools with a religious character.”
The Coram Life Education 'SCARF' website that we use is password protected, however, there is a section called 'About Us' which introduces the work they do and the research behind their scheme and what they provide to the school.
We recognise that parents play a vital part in their child’s RSE, and we look forwards to working in partnership with you. If further advice or support is required please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher or the Headteacher.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs D Foster
Lower School Assistant Head
PSHE Coordinator