What does it mean to be a Period Dignity Key Contact?

Period Dignity Key Contacts are the representatives from schools across Northern Ireland who receive important information and updates on the NI Period Dignity Pilot Scheme.

They are involved in how the scheme is implemented within their school with support from the school’s senior leadership team.

How and when do schools receive updates on the NI Period Dignity Pilot Scheme?

CCEA send all important updates to each school’s Period Dignity Key Contact by email as and when they become available.

The type of information can vary from details on additional Teacher Professional Learning webinar opportunities to information on upcoming teacher resources.

Do schools need a Period Dignity Policy?

Schools are expected to develop their own internal Period Dignity Policy. A framework is available within the Period Dignity Policy and Guidance for Schools document (Annex 4) and is also addressed within CCEA’s online Teacher Professional Learning sessions.

Does each school’s Period Dignity Policy relate to their Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Policy?

Each school’s Period Dignity Policy should align closely with their RSE Policy and can be incorporated as a sub-section within it. The framework for the Period Dignity Policy closely follows the Relationships and Sexuality Education Exemplar Policy Framework which can be found in Section 5 of the Relationships and Sexuality Education Guidance for both Primary and Post-Primary schools.

Our school missed the Teacher Professional Learning webinars in 2021/22, can we still take part in training?

Each school’s Key Contact will receive email updates on our teacher professional learning webinars. If your school has not yet registered their Key Contact, you can do so by clicking here.

Teacher release is available for participating teachers through NISTR and the code for teacher cover will be included in the registration confirmation email.

Supporting materials will be made available to participants following any webinar sessions.

Are there teacher resources?

CCEA is developing new teaching resources on Period Dignity and Menstrual Wellbeing which will be added to the CCEA website over the academic year. Examples of the resources will be explored through the Teacher Professional Learning sessions.

Topics include:

Primary Schools

• Body changes during puberty
• Menstruation; The facts
• Menstrual Wellness – Physical and emotional wellbeing, leading up to and during periods
• Menstrual Hygiene – Essential facts and how to deal with related situations
• Challenges – Pain, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, myths

 Post-Primary Schools

• Facts about menstruation
• Menstrual Wellness – Physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing, leading up to and during periods
• Period Products – The different types, advantages, and disadvantages, how to dispose of them
• Menstrual Hygiene – essential facts and how to deal with related situations
• Challenges – Pain, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, myths
• Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
• Endometriosis – Symptoms, support and treatment
• Other menstrual cycle issues, for example Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

The resources will also include approaches to challenging negative attitudes, stereotypes and gender inequality around periods.

Ordering products for our school?

The Education Authority will answer operational queries on the procurement of period products for schools: [email protected]

Teacher training, resources and policy guidance?

CCEA will answer queries on the upcoming curriculum materials and online Teacher Professional Learning programme:

Deidre Coffey | CCEA Education Manager – Period Dignity Project
[email protected]

Roisin Radcliffe | CCEA Programme Manager
[email protected]

or contact [email protected]

General queries on the overall pilot project?

The Department of Education will answer wider policy questions about the overall purpose and funding of the pilot scheme:

Ashleigh Mitford | Tackling Educational Disadvantage Team
[email protected]

Dale Heaney | Tackling Educational Disadvantage Team
[email protected]

or for general Department of Education enquiries please contact [email protected]