Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Information for Parents RSE Training Support Service for Schools

How it all began… 1995 - Report of the Expert Advisory Group on RSE Department of Education and Science developed a curriculum and teaching materials 1996 - In-service for primary and post-primary teachers 2003 - Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum implemented in schools

What is Relationships and Sexuality Education? A life- long process Learning to sustain healthy personal relationships Part of Social, Personal and Health Education Development of values, attitudes, understanding and skills

RSE part of Social, Personal and Health Education Myself and Others Myself and my family My friends and other people Relating to others Myself Developing self-confidence Knowing about my body As I grow I change New life Feelings and emotions Personal safety

The aims of RSE are… To enhance the personal development, self-esteem and well being of the child To help the child to develop healthy friendships and relationships To promote an understanding of and a healthy attitude towards human sexuality and relationships To enable the child to understand and have respect for, human love, sexual intercourse and reproduction

The aims of RSE…. To develop and promote in the child a sense of wonder and awe at the process of birth and new life To enable the child to be comfortable with the sexuality of him/herself and others while growing and developing

Why teach RSE? Physical maturation of children Media influences Changing role of men and women in society Pressures of family life

How is RSE included in the school curriculum? … caught School/ classroom climate and atmosphere …and taught During the half hour a week for SPHE integrated with other subjects such as religion, language,

What is taught ... and how? Infants Develop an awareness of human birth Naming parts of male/female body - using appropriate terms Learning about the various things the body can do

What is taught …and how? 1st - 2nd Spiral curriculum, building on foundation and revisited as age and stage appropriate Develop and practise basic hygiene skills Appreciate what is necessary in order to provide and care for new-born babies in both the animal and human world

What is taught … and how? 3rd- 4th Understand the changes taking place in both the male and female body Understand the relationship between health and hygiene Recognise the negative effects of sexual stereotyping…

3rd – 4th contd. Recognise and discuss how feelings and emotions are affected by the physical changes taking place at puberty Discuss the stages of development of the human baby, from conception to birth Identify the care that needs to be taken while waiting for a baby to be born

What is taught …and how? 5th – 6th Identify and discuss the physical and other changes that occur in boys and girls with the onset of puberty and understand that these changes take place at different rates for everyone Understand the reproductive system of both male and female adults

5th – 6th contd. Become aware of diseases and explore how diseases and infections are spread Understand sexual intercourse, conception and birth with the context of a committed loving relationship Discuss the different types of love that exist and explore how love is portrayed and defined in music, films, magazines and other media

ISSUES TO CONSIDER Age-appropriate information Multi-class situations Should boys and girls be taught together Parental right to opt their child out of the lessons on the sensitive issues Setting limits when answering questions

Policy - what? Discussion between staff/parents and Board of Management (BoM) Drafting of a set of guidelines on practical and moral issues Draft documents to be sent to all members of the school community for comment Final document to be agreed and ratified by the BoM

Policy- why? All have been consulted /informed Clear agreed guidelines exist These provide a moral and values framework Creates a safe environment for students and their parents

How can parents support the school? Drawing up of school policy Look out for resources on RSE Classroom materials /Home Links Page Home culture Parents’ Association

Resources for RSE INFORMATION ON ALL ASPECTS OF RSE, INCLUDING RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, ARE AVAILABLE FROM: WWW.ECDRUMCONDRA.IE PROGRAMMES RSE