Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Policy

Introductory Statement & Rationale

This policy statement is an approved approach to the teaching of RSE in St Mary’s Primary School. It was developed to inform teachers and parents as to what material is covered in the RSE programme within SPHE. SPHE and RSE will be taught in accordance with the curriculum guidelines from the Department of Education and in the context of the Catholic Ethos and philosophy of our school.

School Philosophy/Ethos

St. Mary’s is a Catholic Primary School concerned with the spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual development of the child, in a warm, caring environment, in partnership with Parents, Parish and Community. Education in St. Mary’s is characterised by respect and care for each individual. We recognise that each child has their own gifts that they bring to our school community and we aim to help each child to develop to their full potential in a safe environment. The RSE programme will be implemented within this framework.

Definition of RSE

RSE aims to help children learn, at home and in school about their own development and about their friendships and relationships with others. This work will be based on developing positive self-esteem and self-image and providing them with appropriate information. RSE also aims to provide opportunities for children to learn about relationships and sexuality in a moral, spiritual and responsible way.

RSE in the Context of SPHE Curriculum

RSE is an integral part of the SPHE curriculum and will be taught within its context for all class levels. The content of the school’s SPHE programme covers a wide range of topics such as healthy eating, alcohol and drug awareness, environmental issues, safety and social responsibility as well as RSE.

Aims of our RSE Program

• To help children develop healthy friendships and relationships

• To foster an understanding of, and healthy attitude to, human sexuality and relationships in a moral, spiritual and social framework

• To promote knowledge of, and respect for human love, sexual intercourse and reproduction

• To understand the physical changes taking place with the onset of puberty

• To promote a sense of wonder and awe at the process of birth and new life

• To enable the child to feel comfortable with their own sexuality and that of others Management & Organisation of RSE in our School

  It is important that children are taught the appropriate language in Relationships & Sexuality Education to enable them to communicate confidently about themselves, their sexuality and their relationships.

• ❖  Factual language is neutral and non-discriminatory

• ❖  As children get older they will not be embarrassed to use or hear these words

• ❖  Children will be less likely to use crude or abusive language

  Management

• ●  The DES curriculum will be followed and SPHE/RSE lessons will be taught from Infants to 6th class by the class teacher in Term 3 each year.

• ●  All RSE teaching resources will adhere to the Catholic ethos of the school and the approved RSE policy.

• ●  Each class teacher will teach the content for their class level only- see Appendix 1 & Appendix 2

• ●  Aspects of the SPHE and RSE curriculum may also be integrated with the Aistear Curriculum (Infants), Science Curriculum (Senior Classes) and Stay Safe Programme

• ●  RSE content will be taught developmentally with age appropriate lessons being taught at each class level as per the curriculum guidelines.

• ●  The Flourish Programme will be taught to all classes as part of the wider RSE programme. (https://catholiceducation.ie/rse-primary/)

  Organisation

● Parents are acknowledged as the primary educators of their children and the school works in partnership with parents in the education process. Parents may also view the RSE teaching materials and resources online. The school will facilitate the provision of further information to parents who may seek to clarify aspects of the RSE content.

• ●  Teachers will model the appropriate vocabulary relating to sexuality, growing up, physical changes, parts of the body and feelings. In teaching RSE the approach in the school is child centred and will always take into account the age and stage of development of the pupils.

• ●  Teachers will teach only the content/topics advised for the class level and will only answer questions relevant to the programme for that class level. Teachers will not give personal information and will not seek personal information from pupils. Respect for personal privacy and for personal information will be emphasised with the pupils.

• ●  Teachers will inform pupils at the beginning of the RSE ‘sensitive lesson’ that it may not be possible to answer all questions from pupils. Pupil questions will be dealt with in accordance with the following criteria: circumstance in which the questions has arisen; clarification of information sought ; relevance of the issue. If the question is outside the scope of the content for the class level, the teacher may use the following phrases: ‘I won’t be able to answer all your questions in class, that’s something that you will learn about when you are older’ or ‘perhaps you could talk to your parent/s about that’.

• ●  Teachers will be aware of the learning needs of their pupils and will differentiate the RSE lessons as appropriate to ensure that pupils with special needs can learn at their level of understanding.

• ●  Teachers will not give information or discuss sexual orientation or contraception during RSE lessons. If questions arise on these topics the teacher will respond in accordance with the policy guidance for questions ‘outside the scope of the lesson’.

• ●  Pupils will be introduced to all aspects of the RSE Programme at an age appropriate level, in accordance with the curriculum guidelines and the school RSE policy. From Junior Infants upwards pupils will be taught to identify and correctly name external parts of the male and female body. In 5th & 6th class pupils will learn about growth and bodily functions necessary for understanding and coping with the onset of puberty and information about intercourse and conception will be given. This will be revised in 6th class, with special attention to relationships and caring for babies.

• ●  Pupils will be advised that it is inappropriate to discuss information about certain aspects of the RSE programme i.e. puberty, intercourse and birth with younger siblings or friends. Pupils will be encouraged to discuss the learning outcomes of the RSE lessons with their parents/guardians.

• ●  In St. Mary’s, we acknowledge, value and respect the voice of our pupils. Children are given opportunities to reflect and feedback on RSE provision each year following the teaching of the RSE lessons. St. Mary’s will strive to use this information to inform school improvement in relation to future RSE provision.

Resources:

• ●  Flourish RSE Lessons – all classes

• ●  Anatomical boy and girl dolls -Junior & Senior Infants

• ●  RSE Manuals– All Classes- Available on the PDST/Oide website

• ●  Busy Bodies videos/booklets – 5th & 6th Class

• ●  Male & Female Reproductive System Diagrams – 5th & 6th Class

• ●  Other resources may be used as deemed appropriate by the class teacher in consultation with the Principal

  Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

  Consultation with parents of pupils with SEN may be required. Taking into account student’s cognitive, social and emotional development and their class level, instruction on the sensitive aspects of RSE will be based on individual needs and decided together by parents, mainstream teachers and SET during the child’s School Support Planning Meeting. The SET will aid the mainstream teacher with the facilitation of appropriate and agreed RSE provision for the child with SEN. At the request of parents of pupils with SEN, the school will facilitate the teaching of the lessons on ‘sensitive issues’ on another occasion individually or in a small group setting. Careful consideration will be given to the NCCA Guidelines for Moderate and Severe and Profound General Learning Disabilities for RSE provision.

  Withdrawal from RSE

  St Mary’s will inform parents in advance of the planned teaching of RSE lessons. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RSE lessons on the understanding that parents will take on full responsibility for this aspect of their child’s education themselves. As RSE is an obligatory requirement of the Department of Education, it should be inclusive. Therefore St Mary’s discourages the withdrawal of children from these lessons. If parents wish to exercise this right, they must inform the school in writing of a decision to withdraw their child. St Mary’s cannot be held responsible for any information that the child may receive from other children regarding the contents of these lessons. Consent regarding participation in RSE lessons is included on the enrolment form.

  Confidentiality & Child Protection

  St Mary’s Primary School fully complies with the Department of Education’s Child Protection procedures and has a fully up to date Child Safeguarding Statement. Where there is a disclosure by a child of abuse, or where a teacher has any concerns about a child, the school will follow the procedures as outlined in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools- revised 2023. Our Principal Ailish McManus is the DLP and our Deputy Principal Joanne Croughan is the DDLP.

Review

This policy will be reviewed on a three year basis or sooner should the need arise. Staff and parents will be informed of any amendments made.

Ratification

This policy was ratified on _________________ by the BoM.

______________________ Chairperson
Date:

___________________________ Principal
Date: