Relationships and Sexuality Education Policy

RSE Policy Rathnure NS

School Philosophy

Rathnure National School is a Catholic school and therefore all policies developed are implemented in ways which are in keeping with the ethos of the school.  The ethos of the school is characterised by the following:

 

  • Sensitive to reality of our children’s lives in a changing world
  • Mutual respect between all partners in education
  • Child-centred
  • Aims to ensure each child reaches full potential in the holistic sense
  • Hopes that children are equipped with high self-esteem to enable them to go to live happy and fulfilled lives.

 

Definition of R.S.E.

 R.S.E. is an integral part of Social, Personal and Health Education and must be taught in this context. It provides structured opportunities for pupils to acquire knowledge and understanding of human sexuality and relationships through processes which will enable them to form values and establish behaviours within a moral, spiritual and social framework (p. 5 NCCA interim curriculum and guidelines for R.S.E.)

 

Relationship of RSE to SPHE

RSE is an integral part of SPHE and must be taught in this context. It provides structured opportunities for pupils to acquire knowledge and understanding of human sexuality and relationships through processes that will enable them to form values and establish behaviours within a moral, spiritual and social framework. In particular, it addresses the meaning of human sexuality, relationships, growth and development, relevant personal and social skills and aspects of parenting.

 

Aims of our R.S.E. Programme:

  • To help young people develop healthy friendships and relationships.
  • To promote a healthy attitude to sexuality and to relationships
  • To enable the personal development, self-esteem and well-being of the child
  • 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 oneself and others while growing and developing.

 

Relationships and Sexuality Education

Relationships will be a key part in the SPHE programme. R.S.E also deals with the issue of human growth and development, human sexuality and human relationships. In the Senior cycle (5th and 6th classes) some very sensitive issues will be dealt with but the children will have been prepared for these issues by the cyclical nature of the syllabus.  Each year their awareness and knowledge is growing and expanding and they now have reached a very important stage in their development.  Content and language are carefully selected so that children get the necessary factual knowledge in the context of Catholic moral teaching as befits the ethos of the school.

In order to allay any fears that parents have, it is important for parents to know exactly what will be taught to the children and at what stage it will be taught.

Junior Infants

  • Naming body parts appropriately, specifically Penis, Breasts

Senior Infants

  • Naming body parts appropriately, specifically Vulva/ Vagina

1st / 2nd

Pupils are expected to be able to name parts of the male and female body using appropriate names and identify some of their functions e.g.

  • Mouth – swallowing, chewing food, breathing
  • Vulva – external female genitalia
  • Penis – passing urine
  • Breasts – feeding a baby
  • Naval – where a baby was joined to its mother before being born

3rd / 4th

Pupils are expected to be able to discuss the stages and sequence of development of the human baby from conception to birth e.g.

  • Week 2 – the size of a full stop
  • Week 6 – the size of a baked bean / would fit neatly on to a 1c piece
  • Week 8 – the size of an adult thumbnail / would cover a 10c piece
  • Week 14 – the length of an adults hand / size of a grape fruit

5th / 6th

Pupils are expected to be able to identify and discuss physical and other changes that occur in boys and girls during puberty and to understand the reproductive systems of male and female adults.

  • Male:
  • Hormonal changes
  • Physical growth
  • Growth of testicles and penis
  • Appearance of pubic hair, underarm and facial hair
  • Breaking of the voice
  • Beginning of sperm production
  • Onset of nocturnal emissions (wet dreams)

 

  • Female:
  • Hormonal changes
  • Changing body shapes
  • Development of breasts
  • Appearance of pubic hair
  • Onset of menstruation (periods)
  • Beginning of ovulation

 

  • Pupils are expected to be able to understand conception and birth within the context of a committed loving relationship.
  • Parents are informed   fully about the content of these lessons and are required to prepare their child prior to the lessons and discuss any issues arising afterwards.

 

Typically the programme will be covered in 3-4 sessions depending on the size / maturity etc… of the class.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF R.S.E. IN OUR SCHOOL

 

Curriculum Matters:

 

  • Curriculum content:   The SPHE curriculum will be followed, and will be taught every year. R.S.E topics will be taught every second year in Senior Infants, 2nd,4th and 6th classes.  All resources used will be in keeping with the ethos of the school and the policy.

 

  • The R.S.E. Policy is supported by the provision of the Stay Safe Programme and our Child Protection Policy.   These all come under the “umbrella” of the SPHE Policy.

 

  • If an outside speaker is used, the class teacher is responsible for making them aware of the school policy and that the teacher will sit in during the lesson.

 

  • Boys and girls will be taught together.

 

  • As part of the Science Curriculum “the identification of the parts of the human body is included at each level of the primary programme” and “children will be helped to develop ideas about the human body, growth, movement and breathing… the development of children’s ideas about body changes and reproduction should be done in accordance with the school’s policy on SPHE”.

 

 

Organisational Matters:

It is accepted that the parents are the primary educators of the child, particularly in Relationships and Sexuality Education, and that the school plays a supportive role in this.  To ensure that parents’ wishes are taken into account in the development and implementation of the programme on Relationships and Sexuality the Board of Management will insure that:

 

  • A parent’s right to withdraw a pupil from R.S.E. will be respected.  This request must be made in writing.  Provisions for supervision will be discussed with the child’s parent.

 

  • If a child is withdrawn the school cannot guarantee that other children will not inform the child in question of the content of the lesson.

 

  • With regard to matters of a confidential nature managed, the school cannot take any responsibility for what is discussed in the yard or classroom.

 

  • Any teacher has the right to opt-out from teaching the sexuality lessons in R.S.E.  It is the responsibility of the Board of Management to ensure that the curriculum will be taught to the children by another teacher or an outside speaker.

 

 

  • Parents are welcome to view the curriculum and may speak to the class teacher if they have any concern.  The content of R.S.E lessons relating to changes in the body and reproduction which takes place in 6th class will be sent to parents beforehand giving them the opportunity to discuss these issues with their child beforehand.

 

Dealing with Questions:

  • All questions answered will reflect the parameters of the curriculum.  Certain topics will not be discussed – i.e. abortion, masturbation, contraception.  Questions to the teacher may be written or oral within the group setting and answered within the boundaries of the curriculum and policy.  Any questions asked by the children that are judged to be inappropriate, the teacher will refer the child to their parents.  The school cannot guarantee confidentiality if a child asks a question of a personal nature to themselves or discloses personal information.

 

Ongoing Support, Development and Review

The Board of Management of Rathnure N.S. supports the implementation of the RSE programme. We recognise that our school has a supportive role to that of the home and we have a commitment to ensuring that:

  • Our teachers have access to in-career development opportunities.
  • Relevant teaching materials are provided.

 

This policy was reviewed and ratified in November 2024 by the BOM and implemented by teachers. It will be reviewed informally at planning meetings; a formal review will be conducted in 2027-28 or earlier if necessary. As with all our plans and policies, parents have access to this policy on request.