Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is an important part of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) in Irish post-primary schools. It supports young people to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes they need to build healthy, respectful and fulfilling relationships, make informed decisions, understand themselves and others, and take care of their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
RSE is not a stand-alone programme that sits outside the curriculum. It is embedded within the national SPHE curriculum and forms part of a developmental, age- and stage-appropriate approach to learning from Junior Cycle through Senior Cycle. The current curriculum provision reflects the extensive national review of RSE undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in 2018–19, which involved students, parents, teachers, school leaders and other stakeholders. That review identified the need to update RSE and SPHE and led to the development of new Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle SPHE curricula.
The curriculum is designed to be taught in an age-appropriate, sensitive and incremental manner. It recognises that young people develop at different rates and that learning about relationships, sexuality, health and wellbeing needs to build progressively throughout their education. Schools also have a responsibility to provide RSE as part of their SPHE provision and to work in partnership with parents and guardians. Department of Education guidance emphasises the importance of appropriate planning, school policy, suitable resources and the careful use of external programmes or facilitators.
It is school practice to touch base with parents/guardians prior to the commencement of the RSE modules in school, to allow opportunity where necessary, for any advance discussions you may wish to have with your child. If you would like to discuss this further with the RSE team please contact the school office admin@calasanctius.ie
What does the RSE Programme include?
Junior Cycle
The updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification (2023) provides 100 hours of learning across the three years of Junior Cycle. RSE is incorporated directly within this curriculum through the Relationships and Sexuality strand, alongside Understanding Myself and Others, Making Healthy Choices, and Emotional Wellbeing. Students beginning First Year from September 2023 are the first cohort to study the updated specification.
The Relationships and Sexuality strand provides opportunities for students to develop their understanding of healthy and respectful relationships and to develop the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions needed to navigate relationships safely and responsibly. Learning is connected with themes including communication, respect, boundaries, consent, identity, relationships, sexuality, health and wellbeing, and the influence of media and the online environment. The curriculum is intended to be developmentally appropriate and is taught progressively rather than as a single block of information.
RSE learning also connects naturally with the other strands of Junior Cycle SPHE. For example, students' learning about relationships can be linked with self-awareness and self-esteem, healthy choices, emotional wellbeing, online behaviour, decision-making and personal safety. This integrated approach reflects the NCCA's vision for SPHE as a curriculum that supports young people to create and maintain respectful and caring relationships and to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Senior Cycle
RSE continues into Senior Cycle as an integral part of Senior Cycle SPHE. The new Senior Cycle SPHE specification (2024) provides a dedicated 60-hour programme of teaching and learning over the final two years of Senior Cycle. It is structured around three strands: Health and Wellbeing; Relationships and Sexuality; and Into Adulthood, with cross-cutting elements which support students to think critically and empathetically, exercise rights and responsibilities, promote inclusivity, and develop health literacy.
The Relationships and Sexuality strand builds on learning from Junior Cycle and supports students as they develop greater independence and navigate more complex personal, social and relationship experiences. It provides opportunities to deepen understanding of healthy and respectful relationships, communication, consent, sexuality, equality, rights and responsibilities, and the factors that can influence relationships and decision-making. Learning is connected to the wider social, emotional and physical wellbeing of young people and to their preparation for adulthood.
Across both Junior and Senior Cycle, RSE should therefore be understood as part of a continuum of learning. The emphasis is not simply on providing factual information about sexual health, but on helping young people develop the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions required to form healthy relationships, communicate respectfully, make informed choices, understand boundaries and consent, and look after their own wellbeing and that of others.
RSE, Curriculum Development and National Guidance
The current provision for RSE has developed significantly from the earlier RSE curriculum. Following the NCCA's Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education in Primary and Post-Primary Schools, published in 2019, work began on updating SPHE across the education system. The review considered the curriculum, teaching and learning approaches, supports for teachers and the experiences and needs of young people. It recommended a more integrated approach to RSE and SPHE, with appropriate time and support for teaching and learning.
The updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification was introduced from September 2023, followed by the new Senior Cycle SPHE specification in 2024.
Resources for Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians are important partners in their children's education. The following national resources provide further information about RSE, SPHE and the development of the curriculum.
RSE Policy
Junior Cycle SPHE
JC SPHE Information Leaflet for Parents
Senior Cycle SPHE
SPHE & RSE Department Circular
RSE Department Circular
DEY Resources for Parents/Guardians