Understanding sexual relations within the context of a committed loving relationship as well as being able to identify and discuss physical and other changes that occur in boys and girls at puberty and to understand the reproductive systems of male and female adults to be taught in the Senior Classes of 5th and 6th.
The Stay Safe Programme is taught in all classes Junior Infants – 6th class
In a multi-class situation with children of different class levels and abilities, which at present does not exist in Kilmacanogue National School, should information be inappropriate for the younger age group, they will be withdrawn.
Except for 6th Class, if the class teacher feels that a particular class is not ready for parts of the prescribed programme, he/she, in consultation with Miss Murray the Principal, may defer those areas for the following year.
Children with special educational needs will receive the same content objectives as other children, but the teacher may have to differentiate the information and use more active learning methodologies i.e. make it more child specific. Special Education Teachers (SET) will differentiate and advise where necessary.
Should a pupil require information that is not in line with the curriculum content, and not considered to be age-appropriate for the general body of pupils, the school will
Everyone has the right to privacy (see Universal Declaration of Human rights and UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child). Teachers will not answer personal questions about themselves nor require the child to give information of a personal nature which they do not wish to share.
Our policy on RSE will also inform the teaching of the Strand ‘Living Things’ in Science.
If a child is withdrawn for the teaching of sensitive issues we cannot guarantee that the other children will not tell/inform him/her about what was taught.
All information delivered will be informed by the content objectives of the SPHE Curriculum. (See SPHE Curriculum Statement p. 32)
Kilmacanogue National School follows the DES Child Protection Guidelines and has the appropriate Child Protection Policies and procedures as well as the Child Safeguarding Statement in place.
The Acting Principal, Ms. Ann Marie Bourke, is the Designated Liaison Person and any concerns that arise in relation to Children First Guidelines are to be referred to the Designated Liaison Person.
If a member of staff is unavailable to teach the sensitive issues, arrangements regarding the teaching of the programme will be made by the BOM.
In the past guest speakers from ‘Accord’ have delivered a full day programme to Senior Classes where issues such as physical and emotional development, bodily changes and sexual awakening are explored.
In some instances, the class teacher may wish to undertake this lesson and where this occurs, the materials, language and power point presentations to be used in the lesson are fully discussed with the Acting School Principal, Ms. Bourke.
We will use the RSE and the Stay Safe programmes and other resources that are deemed suitable by the Department of Education & Skills and the Principal / SPHE coordinator.
Where necessary, or if opportunities arise, the Board of Management may be requested to fund/support ongoing in-career development for teachers and the purchase of relevant materials or resources.
This policy is available on the school website as well as in hard copy form from the school office. It has been formulated and implemented by the school community including the BOM, staff, parents and children.
This policy and the RSE programme will be reviewed by the BOM regularly or as new legislation dictates. All partners will be informed of any amendments after such a review. RSE resources will also be reviewed to ensure they are kept up to date.
This RSE Policy has been reviewed and ratified by the Board of Management of Kilmacanogue National School
Under review for November website update – Ann Marie Bourke & Judy O’Toole November 1st 2022