1. R ELATIONSHIPS AND S EXUALITY E DUCATION (RSE) RSE Training Support Service for Schools Drumcondra Education Centre Ph: +535 1 8576431 htttp://www.ecdrumcondra.ie Policy Development

2. A IM To provide an opportunity for RSE Policy committees to acquire information on the process of RSE policy formulation To begin the process of policy formulation for their own school

3. O BJECTIVES To … provide information on RSE emphasise the importance of partnership in formulating school policy outline the steps in policy formulation, using the folder materials facilitate discussion on handling sensitive issues in RSE policy

4. H OW IT ALL BEGAN …. 1995 The report of the Expert Advisory Group on RSE was published A national RSE curriculum for primary and post primary schools was introduced 1996 onwards, RSE inservice for primary and post-primary teachers 2003 Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum implemented in primary schools

5. W HAT IS RSE? A life long process Development of skills to sustain healthy relationships An aspect of Social, Personal and Health Education Framework of values, attitudes, understanding and skills

6. T HE PURPOSE OF A SCHOOL POLICY. To … frame the RSE programme within the ethos of a particular school clarify issues relating to the programme outline how a school will deliver the programme clarify for all involved their roles, rights and responsibilities

7. W HAT IS A POLICY ? A set of agreed guidelines that sets out a programme for action

8. W HO IS INVOLVED IN THE RSE P OLICY C OMMITTEE ? Two parents representing the views of the general body of parents Two teachers representing teachers’ views Two representatives of the Board of Management representing the views of the management of the school

9. S TEPS Study relevant documents Review current provisions Draft policy Amend and finalise draft policy Circulate policy Initiate your RSE programme

10. D RAFTING THE P OLICY S TATEMENT School details. School Philosophy (mission statement) Definition of SPHE (refer to SPHE plan) putting RSE in context. Aims of RSE in the context of SPHE Guidelines for the management and organisation of RSE. Provision for ongoing review

11. I SSUES FOR CONSIDERATION Will the curriculum be followed as laid down, or will we make changes eg age at which elements of the programme are taught Opt out – teacher and/or pupil Use of outside speaker Multiclass situations Mixed or single sex classes

12. I SSUES FOR CONSIDERATION CONTD. How to keep parents informed/included eg use of the Home School links pages, Information Meetings etc. How to deal with questions on sensitive issues.

13. When answering questions the teacher should be guided by: The school’s RSE policy Ethos of the school Age and readiness of the child/children SPHE/RSE curriculum RSE resource materials

14. Resources for RSE Evaluation of RSE policy Resource materials used for RSE should be consistent with the ethos of the school. All policies, including the RSE policy, should be regularly reviewed and updated

15. C ONCLUSION Any questions? Any further help you might need? For all RSE resource materials go to www.ecdrumcondra.ie