Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Policy

School: SCOIL THOMAIS

Scoil Thomáis is a Catholic co-educational primary school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. It is located in the parish of St.Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Dublin 15. There are approximately 630 pupils from Infants to Sixth Class enrolled in the school. There are 40 teachers on staff including an Administrative Principal, Administrative Deputy Principal as well as a number of special needs assistants and ancillary staff.

Introductory Statement & Rationale

This policy statement is the approved approach to the teaching of RSE in Scoil Thomáis. An RSE policy was initially developed in 1999 to inform the teaching of RSE in the school. The policy was updated in Feb 2015 and further updated in Feb 2016 by the SPHE postholder in consultation with the teaching staff and the RSE Policy Committee. This revised policy further informs teachers and parents of (i) the RSE content that will be taught at each class level and (ii) outlines the organisation and management of the RSE programme across all class levels in Scoil Thomáis.

SPHE and RSE will be taught in accordance with the curriculum guidelines of the Department of Education and in the context of the Catholic ethos and philosophy of the school.

Our School Philosophy

Scoil Thomáis aims to promote the fullest possible development of each child – socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually so that he/she may lead a full, enjoyable life as a child and go on to contribute to society as an adult.

Social Personal and Health Education & Relationships & Sexuality Education:

The SPHE curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to learn basic personal and social skills which foster integrity,self-confidence and self-esteem, while nurturing sensitivity to the rights and feelings of others. The Stay Safe Programme is also an aspect of SPHE and is taught under the strand unit ‘Personal Safety’, this programme teaches personal safety skills and helps children to deal with upsetting, unsafe or frightening situations. Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is an integral part of Social, Personal and Health Education. The RSE programme will be taught within the context of the SPHE curriculum for all class levels. RSE aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to learn about relationships and sexuality in ways that help them think and act in a moral, caring and responsible way. (Going Forward Together Parent Booklet p.4)

Specifically the RSE programme as taught in Scoil Thomáis aims

Teaching of RSE in Scoil Thomáis

Learning about Sexuality and Relationships is a lifelong process. Children learn about relationships and sexuality primarily from their families. The school based RSE programme complements and supports what children are learning at home. The Dept of Education requires all schools to teach RSE and to have an RSE policy. The school policy will ensure that RSE is taught in a way that reflects the core values and ethos of the school. RSE-specific education belongs to the strand units Taking Care of My Body and Growing and Changing.

RSE and ‘Appropriate Language’

“Many children are unable to communicate about themselves, their feelings and bodily functions due to inadequacy of language, acute embarrassment or other factors” “one of the primary objectives of the RSE programme is to provide children with language through which they may seek clarification, ask questions and discuss all aspects of their growth and development” DES Interim RSE Guidelines (1996)

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

 Organisation of RSE in Scoil Thomáis

The following resources will be used when teaching RSE lessons

Management of RSE in Scoil Thomáis.

Parents are acknowledged as the primary educators of their children and the school works in partnership with parents in the education process. An information leaflet summarizing the school’s RSE policy and content of the ‘sensitive lessons’ will be provided for parents in advance of the teaching of the lessons. 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.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from RSE – specific/sensitive lessons on the understanding that parents will take full responsibility for this aspect of their child’s education themselves. Each year the school will notify parents in advance of the planned teaching of the RSE ‘sensitive lessons’. It will be the responsibility of the parents to inform the school in writing of a decision to withdraw a pupil. However if a pupil is so withdrawn, the school cannot guarantee that other pupils will not inform the pupil in question of the content of the lesson(s), or that teachers or pupils will not refer to or revise aspects of the lesson as necessary during subsequent days/weeks. Our RSE policy is inclusive and the withdrawal of pupils for the ‘sensitive lessons’ will be discouraged.

Pupils who are not participating in the RSE ‘sensitive lesson’ will be placed in another class for supervision for the duration of the lesson.

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 centered 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 emphasized with the pupils. Pupils will be taught to recognise that personal disclosures during the RSE lessons are inappropriate. For 6th classes the BOM approved the Accord Schools Programme and 6th classes participate in an RSE workshop with Accord tutor – class teacher will be present with the class at all times.

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 Fifth & Sixth 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.

The practical arrangements regarding the teaching of the RSE programme and the deployment of teaching staff will be made by the School Principal/Deputy Principal. The BOM will ensure the provision of the necessary resources and will support teacher training to implement this programme. Scoil Thomáis fully complies with the DES Child Protection Guidelines and has an updated Child Protection Policy. In cases of disclosures from pupils, the DLP/DDLP will follow the procedures as outlined in Children First 2011

This policy was ratified by Scoil Thomáis Board of Management on the 25th of April 2023

The following appropriate language will be taught to the children as part of the specific RSE lessons at each class level.
Class Level Strand Unit Content objectives RSE language Resources
 

 

 

 

Junior/

Senior Infants

  

 

Taking Care of my Body

 Name parts of the male and female, using appropriate anatomical terms. Junior & Senior Infants

Term ‘Chest’ to identify upper body in boys & girls.

 

Terms ‘Penis’ and ‘vulva’ will be taught as the difference between boy and girl.

 ➢     RSE teacher Bk-Theme 7-My Body-SNF- Pg 147-156, Pg 150)

➢     Walk Tall-Our Amazing Bodies Pg 94

➢     ‘Bathing the baby doll’. Using anatomically correct dolls with toy bath and bathing equipment. I.e. soap, water etc.
 

 

Growing & Changing

 Develop an awareness of human birth that a baby grows and is nurtured in the mother’s womb until ready to be

born

 Term ‘Womb’ will be taught as a special place where a baby grows until birth.

Term ‘breastfeeding’ may be used as a means of feeding the baby.

 ➢     RSE teacher Bk-Theme 7-SNF -Caring for New Life Pg 137-145

➢     Story: Conor’s New Baby Sister or Arrange visit of Mother & Baby to Class.
 

 

 

 

 

First/ Second Class

  

 

 

 

 

 

Taking Care of my Body

  

 

 

 

 

Name parts of the male and female, using appropriate anatomical terms and identify some of their functions.

 1st & 2nd Class: Revision

Term ‘Chest’ to identify upper body in boys & girls.

Terms ‘Penis’ and ‘vulva’ will be taught as the difference between boy and girl.

 

1st Class: Introduce terms ‘vagina’. ‘urine’ to explain that which is released by the

kidneys when going to the toilet. (Boys & girls)

 2nd Class: Introduce the term ‘urethra’ in girls and ‘penis’ in boys for passing urine.

Note: The function of male/female

reproductive system will not be referenced.

 RSE Teacher Book

➢     Theme 7-SNF-My Body Pg 153

1st

➢     Theme 7-Pg 70 & 71

➢     The Wonder of new life p 60-66

➢     How my body works p67-75

2nd

➢     Theme 7-When My Body Needs Special Care Pg 166 & 167

➢     ‘At the Seaside Picture’ with questions from RSE Teacher BK P.153.

➢     Walk Tall- Our Amazing Bodies-Pg 37 (2nd)
 

 

Growing & Changing

 ..appreciate what is necessary in order to provide and care for new-born

babies in both the animal and human world.

 1st class: Introduce the term ‘womb’ as the special place where babies grow until born.

 

2nd class: Teach that the baby is in the womb for 9 months and may be breast/bottle fed when born.

 RSE Teacher Book 1st

➢     Theme 6-The Wonder of New Life Pg 61 & 62

2nd

➢     Theme 6-The Wonder of New Life-Pg 153 & 154

➢     pictures of animals.
The following appropriate language will be taught to the children as part of the specific RSE lessons at each class level.
Class Level Strand Unit Content objectives RSE language Resources
 

 

 

 

3rd/4th Class

  

 

Taking Care of my Body

  

 

 

-Understanding the physical changes that take place in both the male and

female body.

 3rd Class: Introduce terms ‘hormones’ as chemicals which move around your body and cells. Pg 98

 

4th Class: Introduce term ‘Menstruation’ using amended text Pg. 199

Note: Menstruation will be explained in detail in 5th class

 RSE Teacher Book 3rd

➢     Theme 8- As I grow I change Pg. 93-101

➢     Growing-Up Pg 97-98. The Growing and Changes I have Done, Pg 95-96

4th

➢     Theme 8-Growing & Changing Pg. 195-205

➢     Info. Lesson: Growing Up, Pg 198-199
 

 

Growing & Changing

 -Recognise and discuss how feelings and emotions are affected by the physical changes that take place at puberty.

-Discuss the stages and sequence of development of the human baby, from conception to birth.

 3rd Class: Revise term ‘Womb’ (Pg 73)

Introduce terms ‘umbilical cord’ and ‘navel/belly button’.

 

4th Class: Revise term ‘womb’,

Introduce ‘egg’, ‘lining (womb), ‘ready to be born’.

 RSE Teacher Book 3rd

➢     Theme 6-Preparing For New Life-Pg 69-79

➢     Information lesson-Caring for Baby, Pg 73

4th

➢     Theme 6-The Wonder of New Life Pg 170-181

➢     Information Lesson: Someone Special, Pg 171-A New Life Time-Line Pg 172-178
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th/6th Class

  

 

 

 

Taking Care of my Body

 -Identify and discuss the physical and other changes that occur in boys and girls with the onset of puberty and understand that these take place at

different rates for everyone.

 

-Understand the reproductive system of both male and female adults

 5th & 6th Class: (Language taught to boys & Girls)

 

Puberty, Ovaries-Ovum, Fallopian tube, Womb/Uterus, Cervix, Menstruation. Penis, Testicle, Scrotum, Sperm, Erection Wet Dreams

 RSE Teacher Book 5th

➢     Theme 6-My Body Grows and Changes Pg 84-89

➢     RSE Teacher BK-5th Information lesson-Pg 84

➢     ‘Busy Bodies DVD’ with questions from RSE Teacher BK Pg 91
 

 

Growing & Changing

 -Understand sexual intercourse, conception and birth within the context of a committed, loving relationship. 5th & 6th Class: (Language taught to boys & Girls)

 

Sexual Intercourse, Conception, Ovum, Fallopian Tubes

 

Note: Discussed in the context of a committed and loving relationship

 

 

 

 

Revise Umbilical Cord (Pg 107)

 RSE Teacher Book 5th

➢     Theme 7-The Wonder of New Life-Pg 95 & 96

➢     Story-’Michael’s Birth Day’ with q’s pg 98

➢     Theme 8-Caring for New Life Pg 105-110

6th

➢     Theme 8-A Baby is a Miracle Pg 212

➢     Let’s Talk: Changes a Baby Brings to Parents Pg 213-214.

➢      Let’s Go Shopping: Babies Expenses Pg 215

➢     Info. lesson Pg 107.

➢     Story-Michael’s First Year-Pg 109 & Q’s Pg 110
 

 

 

NOTE: RSE LESSONS FOR 6TH CLASS

Presented by ACCORD SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

with Class Teacher Present

 -Discuss and explore the

responsibilities involved in being a

parent and the emotional and physical maturity required to be a parent.

 

 

-Discuss the stages and sequence of the human baby in the womb.

Accord Dublin Schools’ Programme

Relationship Programme for 6th Class Primary Schools’

 This is a one day programme presented by trained facilitators to groups of young people in 6th class primary schools.

The aims of the programme are:

The objective is that by the end of the programme the children will have received clear, easily understood information on all aspects of growing up delivered in a safe respectful environment. That they should feel more comfortable about their approaching adolescence, will have been informed of all necessary, age appropriate facts and will have a deeper understanding of their uniqueness and self worth.

The Programme is divided into three one hour modules:

1st Module: Deals with the journey from childhood to adulthood and the changes that take place at a spiritual, intellectual and emotional level.

2nd Module: Examines the pressures that children can experience at this time in their development and helps with some skills to deal with these pressures. Physical changes will be discussed and conception and childbirth will be explained.

3rd Module: The children will get the opportunity to reflect on the day and ask questions. They will get the opportunity to write questions at this point to allow the quieter children to have an opportunity to ask a question that they may otherwise find difficult to ask.

We hope, by the end of the day the children will have been given a more holistic view of the transition from childhood to adolescence and will feel more confident about the changes they will experience.

Reference  https://www.accord.ie/services/schools-programmes/dublin-schools-programme

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