St Benedict's Catholic College

General

School uniform expectations

Please find below some helpful reminders regarding our well-established uniform expectations. You can also refer to our uniform policy, which can be found on our website on the Parents & Carers / Uniform page, within the Uniform Policy / Dressing for Excellence link.

Our college uniform policy exists to encourage “a sense of equality and cohesion where clothing is not used to highlight levels of family income, create social hierarchies or label students as members of identity groups (other than religious) since this is at odds with the culture of the college.”

Considering this, we would like to highlight the following expectations:

1. School Shoes

Plain black flat leather (or faux leather) shoes of a formal and traditional style (no boots, trainers/sports shoes, canvas shoes or other footwear such as vans/converse/plimsolls or similar). Shoes must not display flashings or logos of any kind. Students with a medical note may be allowed to wear suitable alternatives (for a short period of time), but they will also need to be black and discreet. This should be agreed with the student’s pastoral lead or Mrs Verhofstadt, Director of Achievement & Behaviour, in advance of the college day.

2. School Skirt

Smart, pleated, grey skirt of knee length; not rolled or altered in anyway.

3. School Trousers

Smart, tailored, plain black trousers only. Plain style belts with small buckles are allowed.

4. School Jumpers

While the blazer is compulsory, an optional plain black V neck jumper (no logo) can be worn under the blazer but not instead of during colder seasons. Jumpers must not be worn during the summer term and the college will let students know each year when jumpers can and can’t be worn – this is at the Principal’s discretion.

5. School Socks

Socks must be black, in line with uniform expectations. Socks should be ankle or knee length. Students should bring spare socks on the days they have PE if they wish to wear white socks with their sports trainers.

6. School Bags

All bags should be sensible and practical and have the capacity to hold textbooks, folders and equipment. Fashion bags or designer bags / handbags are not permitted. Separate PE bags are encouraged to be used.

7. Hairstyles

Hair or hair extensions must be a natural colour. Haircuts must not be shorter than number 2. No extreme hairstyles or colours are permitted.

8. Overcoats/Jackets

A plain style in a single dark colour free of markings. No fashion jackets. Hooded sweatshirts/tops should not be brought into college. Students must wear their college blazers or carry it with them during warmer weather (announcements will be made when this will come into effect).

9. Make up

No makeup, nail polish or false nails/eyelashes.

10. Jewellery / Piercings

Students are allowed to wear a single small stud in each ear. The only jewellery that is allowed is a wristwatch, which must be an analogue watch and not a smartwatch. Facial piercings are not permitted and will need to be removed.

Dressing in a smart and professional way prepares students for success in the wider world of further education and work. We work within the ‘St Bens sharp’ principle; ‘sharp tie’, ‘top button done up’, ‘Blazers on’, ‘skirts unrolled’, ‘shirts tucked in’.

We would like to thank you for your continued support in maintaining the high standards we expect in our college.

Yours faithfully

Mr G Muttock

Assistant Principal

Online Safety

As children all over the country return to school, it is important to ensure that they are safe online as they will be using apps and information from the internet on a regular basis.

We hope that you will find the information detailed below useful, and should you have any concerns about interactions that your child is engaging in online, please contact a member of our safeguarding team, and we will be happy to advise you.

Our Safeguarding Team:

Mrs M Davis – Assistant Principal
Mrs S Pavey – Pastoral Lead
Miss R Wilson – Pastoral Lead

Monitoring Your Child Online and Advice for Parents/Carers:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a child’s email on a Google account can be found at: Google Support

Advice for parents/carers regarding online risks can be found in a variety of places online, but we think the following websites are particularly useful:

Setting Up Devices:

There are many different settings and devices to be aware of as a parent/carer, and sometimes finding help in terms of monitoring these can be tricky. The ‘Internet Matters’ website has a range of useful guides to help and support parents/carers in this – please find some of them below:

Social Media:

Social media is often a minefield in terms of privacy settings and interactions online. Generally, all privacy settings have to be actively set up, rather than being automatically enabled when an account is created, and this changes frequently as platforms such as TikTok update their features. This clearly requires parents/carers to be vigilant about the social media that their children are engaging with. Please discuss this with your child so they can understand the dangers and the safety measures that you are protecting them with.

Help and support with this can be found here: Internet Matters - Social Media

Gaming:

Parental knowledge of games and their online world is often much less than their children. There is a lot of peer pressure on children to be part of certain games online, and the website ‘Taming Gaming’ can provide some insight and support for parents/carers at home.

Taming Gaming

We do hope that you find this information to be of use and please do not hesitate to contact any member of the safeguarding or pastoral teams should you wish to discuss anything further.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis
Assistant Principal – Safeguarding

RSE

As part of your child’s curriculum experience this year, certain aspects of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) will be taught in RE, Science and PSHE lessons in all year groups.

RSE Policy

Our Relationships and Sex Education policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons on these topics. Please find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Curriculum Guidelines

The programmes of study for RE and PSHE have been designed in accordance with the Curriculum Directory issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE Association and are appropriate for students’ age and maturity. We have followed closely the guidance given by the Brentwood Diocese in constructing our schemes of work. The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church informs our Sex Education programme in line with the college policy regarding such matters.

Parental Rights

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from some Sex Education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here: Electronic Form.

Response

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish your child to receive Relationships and Sex Education.

Essential Equipment

Dear Parents/Carers

We would like to remind you of our ongoing expectation that all students come to College fully equipped for effective learning.

Having the right tools for the job is essential for maximising learning time and improving academic performance. When students bring their own equipment lessons can start promptly without delays allowing for a more focused and efficient learning environment. Research shows that students who are fully prepared with their own equipment are more likely to stay engaged, participate actively and achieve higher grades.

To support your child in being fully prepared we ask that they bring the following items to College every day which is shown on the PDF attachment.

Equipment List

Starting today we encourage you to revisit expectations with your child and ensure they have all the necessary equipment for College. During the Easter break, please take the opportunity to restock on any needed items. In the first week back, we will conduct daily equipment checks to reinforce the importance of being prepared. Throughout the summer term we will implement a stepped approach to address any lack of equipment ensuring that all students are consistently prepared for effective learning.

We believe that being ready and well-organised not only boosts confidence but also reduces anxiety making students more likely to participate and contribute in class. Your support in ensuring your child has the correct equipment will greatly enhance their learning experience and help them develop valuable organisational skills.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education. Together we can empower our students to achieve their best!

Yours faithfully

Mr P Cretu

Assistant Principal

Open evening early closure – Thursday 2nd October 2025

Dear parents/carers

Open evening early closure – Thursday 2nd October 2025

On Thursday 2nd October we will host our annual college Open Evening. To allow staff and student volunteers sufficient preparation time, the College will close after lunch, at the earlier time of 2.00 pm on this day.

If your child is unable to make their way home independently, or you are unable to arrange for suitable transport, we are able to provide a limited number of spaces for supervision between 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm. If you would like to request a space, please click the link and complete the form – please complete one form per student. https://forms.office.com/e/eMPkWCAyn1

If at any time you no longer require this space, please email admin@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk to let us know.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Mrs J E Santinelli

Principal

Online Safety

Dear parents and carers

Online Safety

As children all over the country return to school, it is important to ensure that they are safe online as they will be using apps and information from the internet on a regular basis.

We hope that you will find the information detailed below useful, and should you have any concerns about interactions that your child is engaging in online, please contact a member of our safeguarding team, and we will be happy to advise you.

Our safeguarding team is:

Mrs M Davis – Assistant Principal

Mrs S Pavey – Pastoral Lead

Miss R Wilson – Pastoral Lead

Monitoring your child online and advice for parents:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a child’s email on a Google account can be found at: https://support.google.com/families/answer/7103338?hl=en

Advice for parents regarding online risks can be found in a variety of places online, but we think the following websites are particularly useful: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ 11 - 13 year olds - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/11-13/ 14 plus - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/14plus/

Setting up devices:

There are many different settings and devices to be aware of as a parent, and sometimes finding help in terms of monitoring these can be tricky. The ‘Internet Matters’ website has a range of useful guides to help and support parents in this – please find some of them below:

Gaming consoles and devices - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/

Smartphones – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/smartphones-and-other-devices/

Broadband and mobile networks – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/broadband-mobile/

Entertainment and search engines – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/entertainment-search-engines/

Social Media:

Social media is often a minefield in terms of privacy settings and interactions online. Generally, all privacy settings have to be actively set up, rather than being automatically enabled when an account is created, and this changes frequently as platforms such as TikTok update their features. This clearly requires parents to be vigilant about the social media that their children are engaging with. Please discuss this with your child so they can understand the dangers and the safety measures that you are protecting them with. Help and support with this can be found here: https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/

Online hate:

The internet can be a dangerous and hostile place – it is important that we equip our children to be able to understand how to keep themselves safe and how to challenge online hate.

Below is some helpful advice from the National College about how to challenge hate and how to report any online behaviours that are unacceptable. https://nationalcollege.com/guides/tackle-online-hate-england https://nationalcollege.com/guides/digital-world-for-everyone https://nationalcollege.com/guides/supporting-children-to-express-themselves

Gaming:

Parental knowledge of games and their online world is often much less than their children. There is a lot of peer pressure on children to be part of certain games online, and the website ‘Taming Gaming’ can provide some insight and support for parents at home. https://www.taminggaming.com

We do hope that you find this information to be of use and please do not hesitate to contact any member of the safeguarding or pastoral teams should you wish to discuss anything further.

Yours faithfully

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal – Safeguarding

Year 7

PSHE

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 7:

Theme: Growing up – how relationships change Lesson Description: Students explore how friendships and family relationships shift as they grow older, moving towards greater independence and responsibility. They consider how respect and kindness underpin healthy interactions, with a focus on preventing bullying and promoting inclusivity. Forms at the end of this unit will present to Senior Leadership a lesson on bullying and the strategies to prevent and ensure a bully-free form. This opportunity will offer the forms the ability to earn and be certified as a ‘bully-free form’.

Objectives:

· Understand how relationships change during adolescence.

· Identify qualities of respectful and supportive friendships.

· Recognise the impact of bullying and disrespectful behaviour on individuals and groups.

· Develop strategies for maintaining positive relationships and dealing with peer pressure.

Linked Content: Bully Free Form – Respect; Friendships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Year 8

The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery

Year 9 trip to The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery – Friday 26th September 2025.

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Globe Theatre and The Tate Modern Gallery in London on Friday 26th September 2025.

The total cost of the trip will be £35.90. This covers the cost of entrance to The Globe Theatre where students will get the opportunity to tour the theatre and then participate in a workshop. In the afternoon we plan to take students to visit the Tate Modern Gallery. The students will depart from St Benedict’s at 8.00am and return at 5.00pm. Your child will need to be in College by 7.30 am on the day of the trip. You need to ensure arrangements are made to collect your child from the college at 5.00pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please go to the ParentPay website to provide consent and pay £35.90. We kindly ask you to pay by the 13th June 2025. It is probable the trip will not take place unless all parents, who are able, confirm by the given deadlines.

The College would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead, in confidence, to discuss whether some suitable arrangements can be made to assist with costs.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Time will be allowed during the afternoon to visit the gallery shop. Students wishing to purchase postcards or other small visual items to include in their studies, may wish to bring with them a small amount of money to spend; no more than £10 please. Students should wear College uniform but may wear trainers or other comfortable footwear in place of College shoes.

We are confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students that will give them the opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and also to enhance their understanding of art and culture through their visit to Tate Modern.

Yours faithfully

Mrs P Bishop, Head of Communications Faculty and Mrs L Stewart-Thomas, Subject

Co-ordinator of Art.

five-day trip to the Opal Coast, France

Year 9 five-day trip to the Opal Coast, France – Monday 16th March to Friday 20th March 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to the Opal Coast in France for our year 9 students of French. We are working with Voyager School Travel to organise our itinerary and will be staying in the Hotel du Moulin aux Draps Activity Centre for the duration of the visit. We will have dedicated Animateurs who will work with us during our stay and organise various activities at the centre. Our students will be encouraged to speak French throughout the stay and we are sure they will enjoy using the language in lots of different situations. We will travel by ferry and coach and then go on excursions and local trips during our stay, including visits to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Nausicaa Sea World Centre and a local market.

The total cost of the visit will be £675.00 per student. This covers the cost of all coach travel, four nights’ full board accommodation at the Hotel Moulin aux Draps, excursions and admission fees. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

The maximum number of places available is 60 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

In order to confirm our booking with Voyager School Travel and secure our reservation we will need a response from parents by the 31st May 2025 at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £100.00 by the 31st May 2025. If your child is not offered a place on the trip the deposit will be refunded. We kindly ask you to use the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

The remaining payments for this trip will be due in instalments as follows:

31st May 2025 £100.00

30th June 2025 £125.00

31st July 2025 £100.00

30th September 2025 £125.00

31st October 2025 £100.00

30th November 2025 £125.00

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Please contact Pastoral Lead if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Our proposed itinerary is as follows (this may be subject to change and we will of course send you a final itinerary nearer the time):

Monday 16th March 2026:

Depart College and travel by coach for the crossing to Calais. Students will need a packed lunch for the journey. From Calais, we will continue to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and language activity.

Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th March 2026:

Activities organised by staff at the activity centre, with visits to:

The Nausicaa National Sea Centre in Boulogne
Boulogne-sur-Mer - visit to the old town ramparts
Opalaventure - trekking through the treetops, guided by instructors
Local market mission with a challenge to buy food for lunch using only French
Étaples military cemetery
Bakery
Le Touquet seaside town
Chocolate Factory
Friday 20th March 2026

Return home and scheduled arrival back at College before the end of the College day (subject to traffic and any changes in timings by the ferry operator)

If you require any further information at this stage please contact me at the College. There will also be an information evening for parents in the Spring term, as we approach the date of departure. Please note that students will require their own passport, valid for at least three months from departure from the UK, and that it might be necessary for your child to obtain a visa for this visit. Information is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport

https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/

The College reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable.

I am sure that the trip will be an exciting experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to practise their French, to get to know more about French culture and way of life and also to see the beautiful landscape and towns of the Opal Coast.

Yours faithfully

Ms Lesto

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Dramafest Theatre Trip to The Mercury Theatre

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Mercury Theatre on Tuesday 21st October 2025. Dramafest is an event open to all local schools and youth groups and this year we have a Drama and a dance entry.

The total cost of the trip is £21.90 and this includes the cost of their T-shirt. This covers the cost of the tour of a professional theatre, dress and tech rehearsal along with participation in the performance in the evening. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students and will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience into the work of lead practitioner ‘Frantic Assembly’. This company is now in its 30th year and is still deemed to be at the cutting edge of Physical Theatre.

“Frantic Assembly have been rewriting the rulebook for nearly three decades…”

- The Times

We will leave the College around 9.30 am and walk to the Mercury Theatre. Students will need to be collected from The Mercury Theatre Main Foyer, no later than 8.00 pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies paid are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the evening.

Yours faithfully

Mrs C Davies

Head of Drama

PSHE

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationship education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 8:

Theme: Healthy relationships Lesson Description: Students learn what makes relationships (friendships, family, romantic) healthy, focusing on respect, trust, equality, and safety. They reflect on stereotypes around gender and challenge assumptions about how boys and girls "should" behave.

Objectives:

· Define the key characteristics of a healthy relationship.

· Identify unhealthy relationship patterns and where to seek help.

· Explore gender stereotypes and their impact on relationships.*

· Understand that respect must be mutual in all interactions.

Linked Content: Respecting You, Me, Us – CEOP lessons; How should genders behave in relationships?

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Year 9

Year 9 and 10 GCSE Art & Textiles trip to Kew Gardens

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 9 and 10 GCSE Art & Textiles trip to Kew Gardens - Monday 24th November 2025

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to Kew Gardens on Monday 24th November 2025.

The total cost of the trip will be £32 This is to cover the cost of transport to and from College and the admission fee. Students will be escorted by staff around the venue, including exhibitions and galleries.

The trip will give learners the opportunity to gather references for observational drawing and primary photos that will help support a grade boost as the exam board love when students go ‘out and about’. For Textile students there will be a special focus on engaging with art and close-up observation opportunities. Art students will be gaining firsthand photography experience, for them to feed into their 'close up' themed experiment workshops.

We will depart St Benedict’s at 8.00 am by coach and return to college by 4.30 pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay by Friday 18th July 2025. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process. In the event that the trip is oversubscribed, priority will be given to year 10 students, following this, places will be allocated by ballot.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s Pastoral Lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Time will be allowed during the afternoon to visit the attraction shop. Students wishing to make purchases on the day of any materials or embellishments to use in their studies may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please.

Students will be in full college uniform. We also ask that students have access to a phone throughout the day for the use of camera, but I would like to ask this use is for educational purposes only and for learners to refrain from photographing other learners.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Holloway

Subject Co-Ordinator of Textiles

Dramafest Theatre Trip to The Mercury Theatre

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Mercury Theatre on Tuesday 21st October 2025. Dramafest is an event open to all local schools and youth groups and this year we have a Drama and a dance entry.

The total cost of the trip is £21.90 and this includes the cost of their T-shirt. This covers the cost of the tour of a professional theatre, dress and tech rehearsal along with participation in the performance in the evening. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students and will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience into the work of lead practitioner ‘Frantic Assembly’. This company is now in its 30th year and is still deemed to be at the cutting edge of Physical Theatre.

“Frantic Assembly have been rewriting the rulebook for nearly three decades…”

- The Times

We will leave the College around 9.30 am and walk to the Mercury Theatre. Students will need to be collected from The Mercury Theatre Main Foyer, no later than 8.00 pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies paid are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the evening.

Yours faithfully

Mrs C Davies

Head of Drama

Dramafest Theatre Trip to The Mercury Theatre

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Mercury Theatre on Tuesday 21st October 2025. Dramafest is an event open to all local schools and youth groups and this year we have a Drama and a dance entry.

The total cost of the trip is £21.90 and this includes the cost of their T-shirt. This covers the cost of the tour of a professional theatre, dress and tech rehearsal along with participation in the performance in the evening. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students and will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience into the work of lead practitioner ‘Frantic Assembly’. This company is now in its 30th year and is still deemed to be at the cutting edge of Physical Theatre.

“Frantic Assembly have been rewriting the rulebook for nearly three decades…”

- The Times

We will leave the College around 9.30 am and walk to the Mercury Theatre. Students will need to be collected from The Mercury Theatre Main Foyer, no later than 8.00 pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies paid are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the evening.

Yours faithfully

Mrs C Davies

Head of Drama

PSHE

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 9:

Theme: Understanding relationships – consent and boundaries Lessons’ Overall Description: Students focus on consent, personal boundaries, and safe communication in different types of relationships. They explore the dangers of unsafe online content including pressures from peers, media, and pornography. They begin to critically assess unhealthy influences and learn to make informed, respectful decisions.

Objectives:

· Understand what consent means and why it is essential in all relationships.

· Learn how to communicate personal boundaries clearly and respect others’ boundaries.

· Evaluate the influence of pornography and media on expectations of sex and relationships. As well as the unhealthy nature of this content.

· Consider personal values and choices around sex, including delaying sexual activity.

Linked Content: Choices about sex and relationships

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your child from some sex education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Year 10