RSE: Relationships and Sexuality Education

 

What is RSE?

RSE is a lifelong process. It helps children and young people acquire knowledge, understanding and skills and develop attitudes, beliefs and values about relationships, sexual identity, and intimacy. Effective RSE, which is taught in a sensitive and inclusive manner, encourages children and young people to value themselves as individuals and to make responsible and well-informed decisions about their lives.

Policy Development and Implementation

We, at St Paul’s High School, view the development and implementation of a policy in Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) as an important step towards achieving our aim to develop all aspects of a young person’s personality and growth. The morals and values of our Catholic ethos are the core principles that underpin the teaching of RSE. Sexuality includes all aspects of the human person that relate to being male and female and develops throughout life. It is a complex dimension of human life and relationships.

Parents/Carers

As parents/carers are the primary educators of their children, we will endeavour to fully consult with them regarding the aims, objectives and teaching programme of this policy, and their views will be considered when implementing and reviewing this policy.

In line with our school’s ethos, RSE will provide opportunities that enable pupils to:

  • Form values and establish behaviour within a moral, spiritual, and social framework consistent with our Catholic ethos.
  • Learn how to develop and enjoy personal relationships and friendships based on responsibility and mutual respect.
  • Build the foundations for developing more positive personal relationships in later life.
  • Make positive, responsible choices about themselves and others and the way they live their lives.

Our Policy

The school’s RSE policy is available here for consultation.  The school’s policy is informed by and is aligned with guidance provided by the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference for use in Catholic post-primary schools in Ireland.

Contact

To contact the school, regarding the RSE policy or to discuss the curriculum with a member of staff, please contact St Paul’s on (028) 3083 0309 or email: rse@stpaulsbessbrook.org