PSHE Association response to Sex Education (Required Content) Bill

6 May 2011

Much media coverage in the last 24 hours has been given to Nadine Dorries MP (Con, Mid Bedfordshire) who has had a successful first reading of a bill that proposes that teenage girls aged 13-16 should be given lessons on the benefits of saying no to sex, and 'information and advice on the benefits of abstinence from sexual activity' as part of their compulsory sex education.

The PSHE Association believes that effective sex and relationships education begins in the early years and should be taught in an age appropriate way developing from discussions around friendships, families and responsive to children’s questions about 'where did I come from' to differences between boys and girls and changes at puberty as well as exploring their relationships and the pressures on them to behave in certain ways as they move into adolescence. In secondary schools young people say they need much more on relationships, and being able to say 'no' is as important for boys as it is girls.

There is no evidence to show that teaching abstinence works whilst there is much that suggests that where SRE is taught effectively from an early age the onset of sexual activity is delayed.

The PSHE Association is committed to promoting children and young people's right to high quality SRE within PSHE education in all schools and to working with others together to ensure that this entitlement becomes a reality for all children and young people.

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