Dealing with Sexuality Education in the Primary Classroom

Abstract

This study has reviewed the current thinking on Sexuality and Relationships Education, including national documents. A needs analysis was carried through the use of questionnaires directed to heads of schools, primary school class teachers, primary school PSD teachers and parents. Throughout the course of the study, a need for children to be educated within the Sexuality and Relationships sphere emerged. This need is strongly felt in the junior years of schooling rather than in the early years of schooling. Having carried our research and consulted previous research; it was found that Sexuality and Relationship Education lessons are essential within our primary schools; and that should not only be carried out by the PSD teachers but also by the primary school class teacher, where both collaborate and build up on each other's work. Thus, a resources pack for Year 4 and 5 was designed, piloted and amended accordingly. The pack is aimed to support the primary school teacher in addressing Sexuality and Relationship Education topics within the classroom in collaboration with the P.S.D specialist.