In Scoil Íosa, the safety and wellbeing of every child is a top priority. As part of our Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, all classes take part in the Stay Safe Programme each year. This is a nationally recognised programme developed to help children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safe.

The programme teaches children important personal safety skills in an age-appropriate way. Through stories, discussion, role-play and classroom activities, pupils learn about topics such as recognising safe and unsafe situations, understanding personal boundaries, identifying trusted adults, and knowing how to seek help if they feel worried or unsafe. Children are encouraged to talk openly with trusted adults and to understand that their safety and wellbeing always matter.

Teaching the Stay Safe Programme annually ensures that these important messages are reinforced as children grow and develop. It also helps to create a culture in our school where children feel safe, supported and confident to speak up if they have concerns.

We value the partnership between home and school in supporting children’s safety and wellbeing, and we encourage parents and guardians to discuss these important topics with their children.

Parents and guardians who would like to familiarise themselves with the content of the Stay Safe programme can view the lessons and access the Parent’s Guide online at www.staysafe.ie or through the PDST/Oide Stay Safe page at www.pdst.ie/staysafe. These websites provide information about the programme, lesson topics and guidance for parents on how to support the key safety messages at home.