Have your say about RSE in schools
Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign is encouraging young people and parents to give their views on new national guidance for relationship and sex education in schools.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is consulting on an update to the Relationship and Sexual Health Education (RSE) curriculum, which will focus on how young people can cope with the pressures they often face from their peers or the media, when it comes to relationships and sex.
It also covers the importance of marriage and stable relationships in family life, as well as the value of delaying sexual experiences. It would be taught within Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons.
Age appropriate topics would be covered – primary school children gain a basic understanding of where babies come from, correctly naming parts of the body and listening to other people.
Secondary school pupils develop the skills and confidence to say no if they are not ready for a sexual relationship, as well as how to avoid sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy when they do become sexually active.
Amy Danahay, Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign Manager, said: “We welcome this opportunity for young people, parents, teachers and other professionals to comment on the proposed new guidance about relationships and sexual health to ensure it is as effective as it can be at getting messages across.
“The outcome of the consultation will help shape the curriculum for years to come, providing young people with up to date information and guidance that will help them make informed relationship and sexual health decisions later in life.”
The DCSF consultation is open until Monday 19 April 2010, with the final guidance circulated to schools from September. To read more or take part in the consultation, visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations.
For more information about Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign or relationships and sexual health, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.