Government launches 21st century sex and relationship education

28 January 2010

The government has announced plans for improved sex and relationships education in schools.

Young people will be taught how to deal with the pressure and intimidation often caused by exposure to sexual content in the media and on the internet and mobile phones.

Children will also learn about the importance of marriage and stable relationships to family life, and the value of delaying sexual experiences.

Updated guidance on sex and relationship education (SRE) will be given to schools to help them teach young people how to cope with the pressure they often face from peers and the media. Secondary school pupils will be encouraged to discuss the myths around growing up, sex and relationships that they hear from friends, helping them to put media stories and images into context.

This SRE will be taught within lessons on personal, social and health education (PSHE). The government is currently legislating to make PSHE compulsory and to lower the age at which parents can withdraw their children from PSHE from 19 to 15 years. The content of PSHE will be consulted on again prior to it becoming statutory.

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) has been calling for improved sex and relationships education for several years. In 2008 a UKYP survey of 20,000 young people found only a quarter of 11-18 year-olds are currently receiving good sex and relationships education.

Ed Balls, secretary of state for Children, Schools and Families, said:

"We want to give young people the facts so that they can stay safe and healthy. We also want young people to understand the importance of marriage and other stable relationships – these are the bedrock of family life, the best way to bring up children and the kind of relationships we want young people to develop as they get older."

Jacob Rix, MYP for Norfolk, said:

"For years young people have been concerned about the quality of SRE they have received at schools, if any, and have tirelessly campaigned for the right for every young person, regardless of background, school, or faith to learn about sex and relationships. This revised guidance is an important step in ensuring good quality, and factually accurate, SRE. We urge all young people to take the time to take the time to respond to this consultation, ensuring young people are at the core of the new curriculum."

To respond to the consultation go to: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/

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