Re: Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Programmes.

Parents/Carers,

RSE is a complex and vitally important area of a school's curriculum. RSE is part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. It is to be carried out as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life.

Throughout each school year, your child will be taught the ‘Flourish’ Relationships and Sexuality programme. This programme is designed to be a collaboration between home and school and one of its most important aspects is parental input. All the material is age-appropriate and delivered within the context of the Catholic Church’s teaching on sexuality. The emphasis is on forming positive relationships and showing respect for ourselves and other people.

Flourish is an RSE resource developed for Catholic Schools and has been adopted by all Dioceses as a programme to ensure primary schools cover the compulsory aspect of the Primary Curriculum. The programme has been reviewed by all teaching staff and it has been agreed which elements will be covered, in a sensitive way. Some lessons will be covered as whole class groups, others as gender groups. From the resources you will see that not all lessons will be video led, some will be discussion based. A number of lessons in P1, P5 and P7 programme will NOT be covered in primary school as it will be covered in Post-Primary.

Please view the appropriate lessons that are available for your child/ren and we have provided a list of the lessons that will be delivered in school. The programme and all lessons are available to view on https://catholiceducation-ni.org/about-us-2/rse-resources/ 

The RSE policy and the overview list of the CCEA PDMU ‘Living, Learning Together programme alongside the RSE ‘Flourish’ programme can be viewed on the school website via the ‘Parents Area’ tab.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) of all pupils the CCEA PDMU curriculum will supplement the RSE programme. An external agency ‘Love for Life’ visit the school annually to enhance what we already deliver in relation to PDMU Programme in School for the P4-P7 pupils. Love for Life has a long-standing reputation, and all programmes are age-appropriate, offering accurate information in an engaging manner, helping children and young people to learn, reflect and develop in their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the PDMU area.

Additional external agencies such as BEAM Creative deliver KS2 workshops on Safer Internet. NI Chest Heart and Stroke educate P5 pupils about their health and well-being. An additional workshop will be delivered to our P7 pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and life skills to lead a healthier life and reduce the risk of chest, heart and stroke illnesses in later life. A particular focus will on the Dangers of Smoking/e-cigarettes. The Dairy Council We provide a range of education resources for both primary and post-primary schools including programmes on a balanced diet and active lifestyle for pupils.