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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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,

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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…

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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