Introduction to ACCORD Dublin's Schools' RSE programmes

Relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is about a lot more than sex education. It includes self awareness, personal development, self esteem, awareness of others, intimacy, commitment and responsibility.

Development of the student’s whole person

Relationship and sexuality education is about a lot more than sex education. It includes self awareness, personal development,  self esteem, awareness of others, intimacy, commitment and responsibility. Parents are their children’s primary teachers. Children will learn a lot from their home environment about love, communication and relationships. ACCORD Dublin’s role is to support schools in delivering aspects of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum where they feel that an outside facilitator would be beneficial. The ACCORD Dublin RSE Programme is designed to help young people understand the nature of relationships and the responsibility of being in relationships.  The programme works with young people to help them develop their own set of values which they can then apply in any relationship in which they are involved.

6th Class, 2019

Teacher

"I was very impressed with the delivery of the programme. I felt the children really opened up to the facilitators and expressed a lot of their fears and worries. Programme was very age appropriate."

5th Class, 2019

Teacher

"You presented the information in a child friendly manner and removed any concerns or worries they might have."

Why ACCORD Dublin?

ACCORD Dublin has provided Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) programmes to primary and secondary schools in the Dublin and surrounding areas for over 25 years. Currently we provide programmes in over 400 primary and secondary schools to more than 38,000 pupils annually. Our programmes are delivered by trained facilitators who are Garda vetted and who are also parents themselves. The sensitivity of our facilitators to children’s needs is well recognised by teachers.

6th Class, 2019

Teacher

"The facilitator was very inclusive of sexuality and family situations."

Holistic Content

Every parent wants their child  to grow up happy, self assured and fulfilled. Our programmes are designed with holistic content which aims to help children and young people to develop their whole person and to have healthy and happy relationships throughout  life. Each programme is tailor made with age appropriate content specific to the age and gender of the particular pupil group. The curriculum for each age group is designed in accordance with the Department of Education Relationships and Sexuality Education Policy Guidelines.

6th Class, 2019

Teacher

"Very comprehensive coverage of the RSE curriculum handled with dignity and respect for all."

5th Class, 2019

Teacher

"The programme was thoughtfully and holistically delivered. The facilitator was both professional and approachable and managed the class superbly."

Flexible Programme Content

At secondary school level every programme devotes a significant amount of time to discussing whatever the pupils wish to cover. Pupils are invited to submit questions anonymously if they prefer so that any relevant issue can be discussed openly without embarrassment to the child concerned. Facilitators will address every issue raised in a respectful, open, fair and honest way.

Female, 6th year, 2019

Student

"I felt immediately at ease and felt like I could give my opinion without being judged"

Bespoke Programme Design

Due to our flexible child centred approach, no two classes are ever exactly the same. Programmes flex and develop organically as society and children’s environments change.

ACCORD Dublin is happy to work with any school irrespective of denomination or school ethos at the invitation of the school principal. We have the flexibility and expertise to design programmes on request to focus on particular relationship and sexuality issues which  a school would like to be addressed.

As well as being informative, our programmes are designed to be fun and interactive for the pupils. The programme format includes presentations with slides and audio visuals, individual and group exercises and group discussions.

Male, 4th Year, 2019

Student

"Overall I learned many new things and I really enjoyed the talk "

Female. 4th Year, 2018

Student

"Educated me on things I wasn’t sure of and learned things you wouldn’t really learn anywhere else"

Benefit of External Facilitator

In their feedback pupils invariably say that they would rather receive relationship and sexuality education from an outside specialist than their school teacher as this removes any potential embarrassment or fear of being judged.

Female, 6th Year, 2019

Student

"Teachers you know on a personal level and it’s awkward "

Parental Consent

All pupils are invited to attend the relevant programme.  Parental consent, which is arranged by the school,  is required for primary school pupils to participate. A teacher is always present in class when a programme is being delivered. We regularly run parent information talks so that parents are informed about what their children will cover during an ACCORD Dublin relationship and sexuality education programme.

School Principal, 2019

Teacher

"Very positive feedback from the parents about the parents talk. Teachers very happy with all aspects of the group workshops. Children benefited from the workshops. Many thanks to all."