The entries were assessed by jury members Sarah Abbou, policy adviser at the PO-Raad, and Elsbeth Reitzema, consultant at Rutgers. They considered five aspects: a structured lesson offering, policy, identification, environment and enthusiasm.

Three nominations

Three schools were nominated for the Award: IKC De Geluksvogel from Maastricht, De Blinkerd Primary School from Oss and Prisma (V)SO from Alphen aan den Rijn. Prisma (V)SO won because this topic is addressed throughout the year on a structural basis. The school provides sexuality education that focuses on personal growth and sexual development from a broader perspective, with an emphasis on a positive experience of sexuality and learning to make independent choices. In addition, they have a sound policy, are trained in identification and devote themselves to this topic with great enthusiasm.

Activities

Prisma offers the topic of relationships and sexuality as a standard part of its curriculum through a continuous learning pathway, using the Healthy School approach. Prisma also has the Healthy School certificate, the Relationships and Sexuality topic certificate. With this approach, they address education, identification, environment and policy. They use various teaching materials, such as Kriebels in je buik, Dr Corrie, Lang Leve de Liefde and the Flag System. Since the 2016–2017 school year, key themes have been addressed for each phase. This allows them to take the different developmental stages and living environments of pupils into account. Staff members also attend courses so that they are sufficiently equipped to work with this topic.

On the right track

Marco Admiraal, a teacher at Prisma, thinks it is really great that they have won. But even more important to him is that they are on the right track in guiding pupils in this area. Although they offer this topic as a standard part of the curriculum, Marco is pleased that the Week of Lentekriebels exists: “It shows that the topic is current.” What do they consider important for pupils to take away? “That they show respect for one another and know what their own boundaries are, as well as those of others. That they see that there are differences, but that this is neither right nor wrong.”

Collaboration

For this structural approach to sexuality education, SO Prisma worked together with Rutgers and GGD Hollands Midden. GGD Hollands Midden has made sexuality education part of its social safety policy and supports school boards in the region in developing this policy. In addition to sexuality education, the approach also incorporates social development, the reporting code and transgressive behaviour.

Prisma SO is part of the SCOPE School Group, meaning that this approach is implemented not only within the school but also at neighbouring schools in the municipality.

In two years, all schools in the SCOPE School Group have been supported, professionals have been trained and parents have been informed about social safety, and particularly about sexual development and education. In doing so, the SCOPE School Group has become part of a growing number of school boards, under which 150 primary schools fall. Together with all the other supported primary schools in the Hollands Midden region, the professionals and parents of SO Prisma are working towards an environment where children can develop and grow up safely, including sexually.

What exactly is the Lentekriebels Award again?

To be eligible for the Award, the school had to meet at least three conditions:

  • The school must use the Kriebels in je buik teaching package.
  • The school must provide structured lessons on relationships and sexuality every year.
  • Finally, lessons on relationships and sexuality must be provided in every class at the school.