Relationships are the bedrock of our health and well-being
Happy and healthy relationships with ourselves and others is at the core of everything we do with our schools programmes. We cover self-awareness and self-care, personal development, self-esteem, awareness of others, intimacy, commitment and responsibility.
Relationship problems are consistently identified by young people as the number one challenge in their developing lives. For over 25 years, we’ve developed our RSE programmes to address these issues at all stages of their physical and emotional development. We work with all young people, regardless of sex or sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, family status, faith, age or ability.
What is relationship and sexuality education?
Parents are their children’s primary educators. Children learn a lot from their home environment about love, communication and relationships. Our 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.
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.
Our 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 now and in the future.
What happens in the classes?
The programme format includes presentations with slides and audio-visuals, individual and group exercises and group discussions. A teacher is always present in class when a programme is being delivered. If facilitators have a concern for a student or receive a disclosure we will engage with the designated liaison person (D.L.P) and report to the relevant authorities if necessary. Parental consent, which is arranged by the school, is required for primary school pupils to participate.
How we work with parents
We provide unique parent talks online for parents and schools who would like to know more about the programme. These are currently organised at the invitation of schools, but we are happy to discuss other options for talks. We welcome and encourage the questions and concerns of parents and teachers and are always here to provide you with the information and any assurances you need.
These talks are usually delivered a week before the session takes place with students.
Why ACCORD Dublin?
ACCORD is the leading and most experienced provider of Relationship Sexuality Education programmes in Ireland. 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.
Primary school
Find out more about Primary School Programme
A safe, accepting environment of support
We use storytelling, questionnaires, group discussions and interesting visuals and more to achieve four clear aims over the course of the day.
- To give clear and correct information about the changes that take place at this time of transition at a spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical level.
- To assist the children in building healthy relationships.
- To help the students develop a healthy, positive attitude towards their emerging sexuality and to that of their fellow human beings.
- To help them to question what they see around them, and to discern between good and bad choices.
Programme content
The programme is divided into three one-hour modules. If it’s a Co-Ed school, the boys and girls will participate together as this gives them the opportunity to hear each other. They are given time at the end of the session for questions.
We also provide a 1 and a half hour programme for 4th class girls only where physical and emotional changes which may occur during puberty will be explained.
The first module
Deals with the journey from childhood to adulthood and the changes that take place at a spiritual, intellectual, and emotional level.
The second module
Examines the pressures that children can experience at this time in their development and offers some skills to deal with them. Physical changes will be discussed with 5th and 6th class. Conception, pregnancy and childbirth will be explained to 6th class pupils only.
The third module
The children will reflect on the morning and ask questions. They will get the opportunity to submit written questions anonymously about topics they may otherwise find difficult to discuss.
Talks for parents of primary school children
Parent talks are normally delivered in the evening before the programme. In these sessions, the programme is explained in full and we answer any questions parents might have. Parents must consent to their child taking part in the programme.
How to book
Booking is simple and can be done over email or on the phone. The cost for the programme is €218 euro per group for primary school classes. To book please email schoolsprogramme@accorddublin.ie or phone 085 871 0967.
Secondary school
Find out more about Secondary school Programme
A healthy emotional foundation is priceless
All workshops are highly interactive. For secondary school students, our aims are:
- To reach a fuller understanding of all aspects of relationships.
- To recognise appropriate and inappropriate behaviours in relationships.
- To learn to deal with conflict more effectively.
- To understand the impact of family on relationships and to increase self-awareness.
- To fully understand the importance of consent.
- To give practical information on sex, reproduction and related topics such as sexually transmitted infections.
- To fully understand and recognise the impact of addiction on relationships.
- To give the students the opportunity to anonymously write questions to the facilitator.
Programme content
There has been a worrying increase in the number of teenagers experiencing abuse in their peer-to-peer relationships. Our facilitators can equip them to recognise the problem and remove themselves from what can be a dangerous situation.
Consent is now a major part of class discussions for all ages in secondary school. But we also explore many other aspects of relationships, from emotional problems (including caused by family or friends), the effects of alcohol/drugs on relationships, and the effects of pornography and sexting to unhealthy or ‘toxic’ relationships, the pressures of social media, and LGBT+ relationships.
Family issues can be one of the major sources of stress for young people. We examine styles of conflict, helping students identify their own style and exploring how to manage conflict in relationships.
An unplanned pregnancy raises lots of questions about the future for both the mother and the father. We help young people think through some of the questions.
We provide clear, accurate scientific information that’s easily digestible so young people understand what sexually transmitted infections are and their effects.
At the end, students complete an evaluation form. This is anonymous to encourage an honest response. Normally, the response is consistently positive, especially around how the programme is delivered and how open discussion is facilitated.
Booking is simple and can be done over email or on the phone. The cost for the programme is €230 euro per group for secondary school classes. To book please email schoolsprogramme@accorddublin.ie or phone 085 871 0967.
