Dear Parents/Carers, Parishioners, and other interested parties,
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on the delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health, and Parenting within Scottish schools.
The proposed content can be found by following this link.
There is also the RSHP website which gives clear information about the content recommended for each stage. At Primary School age, the curriculum is at Early Level – P1, First Level – P2 to P4, and Second Level – P5 to P7.
You can also find links to the curriculum at the third level and the senior phase on the website.
As a Catholic faith-based school there are elements of the proposed content linked to the guidance that may, depending upon individual perception, sit in direct contrast to the faith dynamic of our provision, which naturally permeates our ethos and delivery.
We absolutely understand and welcome the fact that not all of our pupils are Catholics, but also recognise that all families sending their children to our school respect and understand our ethos, and the central role that faith plays in the wider life of the school and in our daily practice.
Encouraging those with an interest in Catholic Education to submit a response is advocated by the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
The current version of the draft guidance contains some alterations to an earlier version which was clear in acknowledging the rights of Catholic schools to deliver Catholic teaching on aspects of human relationships and sexual development. SCES, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference, has produced a briefing paper for the consideration of parents/carers who have elected to send their children to Catholic schools. This briefing paper is attached for your information.
SCES has also produced a supporting consultation return that you may, if you see fit, elect to refer to prior to making a response.
The Bishops’ Conference has made the following statement:
“The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is both disappointed and confused at the decision by the Scottish Government to delete all reference to Catholic schools in its “Guidance on the Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools” document. We strongly request the re-insertion of the paragraphs relating to Denominational Education from the previous iteration of the guidance, which would reflect both the legal protection for schools with a Religious Character, and the previously supportive position of Scottish Government for Catholic schools.”
Please note, this is not a school or local authority consultation, but a national consultation.
As with any consultation, you are free to respond in full, in part or not at all.
However, your voice is extremely important and central to the education of children in schools across Scotland. I sincerely and strongly encourage you to try to complete a response prior to the consultation deadline of Thursday 23rd November. Responses can be submitted via this link:
Anyone wishing to make a response by post can do so by submitting a response to:
RSHP Teaching Guidance Consultation
Area 2B North
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
EH6 6QQ
It is my understanding that responses need not address every question within the consultation. I am to understand that some respondents are electing to respond to questions one and six specifically. It is for individual respondents to determine whether or not they wish to respond in full or in part.
Yours Faithfully,
Marianne Bradley
RSHP consultation Briefing Paper
