• policy has been designed in consultation with the Parents’ Association representatives • policy has been designed in consultation with the Parents’ Association representatives and the views expressed by parents will be taken into account when the policy is being reviewed. A copy of this policy will be made available to any parent/guardian on request to the school office. Note: The Education Act 1998 (section 30, subsection (20) (e)) provides that a student is not required to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parents or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18, the student. Hence, parents /guardians have a right to opt their child out of the sensitive issues in RSE if they wish to do so. Parents do not have to give reasons for withdrawal. Once a parent’s/guardian’s request to withdraw is made, that request must be complied with until revoked by the parent. Parents/Guardians are required to collect and supervise their child at this time.

- C. Ethical/Moral Considerations

RSE is a complex area of the curriculum. A school’s RSE policy will provide guidance for teachers on the moral and ethical framework within which the programme will be taught. Issues include the following:

#### Answering Questions:

• it is important to create an environment in SPHE/RSE in which students can • it is important to create an environment in SPHE/RSE in which students can discuss issues openly, teachers may not be able to answer all questions asked by students and can set appropriate limits. Students may ask questions about issues which are not included in the curriculum. On these, and on all questions, teachers will use their professional judgment, guided by the age of the students, the RSE curriculum and the RSE policy for the school. Students should be made aware at the beginning of the RSE programme that asking personal questions of staff and peers is inappropriate and unacceptable.

#### Confidentiality:

• students should not be encouraged to disclose personal or private information • students should not be encouraged to disclose personal or private information in SPHE/RSE classes, there may be times when they do talk about their own lives. Confidentiality should be respected unless a teacher becomes aware that a student is at risk, in which case the appropriate action should be taken e.g. follow the procedures set down in the Child Protection Procedures and Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools (2011), notify parents etc. In cases of under-age sexual activity, p. 10 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2011) state: ‘In all cases where a school becomes aware of underage sexual intercourse the school shall take appropriate steps to inform the child’s parents. (2.1.6)’. It is important that the students must be made aware of the limits of confidentiality and that teachers do not give unconditional guarantees of confidentiality. Teachers may refer back to the ground rules agreed at the start of their SPHE programme. Students must be aware that any incident may be conveyed to the Principal(DLP) and possibly the parents /guardian if the Principal(DLP) decides that it is in the best interests of the