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#1 What is relationships and sex education?

Relationships and sex education (RSE) is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. It should equip children and young people with the information, skills and posi…

#2 What is covered in Relationships Education?

Relationships Education in primary schools will protect children. The new Governmnet guidance sets out the content under the following headings: ‘Families and people who care for me’, ‘Caring friendships’, ‘Respectful relationships’,…

#3 What is covered in sex education?

In the new Government guidance DfE continues to recommend that all primary schools ‘have a sex education programme tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the pupils'. The guidance continues: 'Schools are to determine th…

#4 What does the law say about teaching RSE?

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 introduces new legislation on relationships and sex education in schools. In July 2018 the Government set out plans for implementaion encouring schools that are ready to start teaching the new curriculum from S…

#5 What type of schools does the new legislation apply to?

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 introduces new legislation on relationships and sex education in all schools in England. The new legislation makes relationships and sex education (RSE) a compuslory requirement for all secondary schools in…

#6 What should be included in our school RSE policy?

Under the new guidance (2019) schools must have a policy on RSE. Primary schools will need to define Relationships Education and define any sex education they choose to teach other than that covered in the science curriculum. Seconcary schools will…

#7 Can parents withdraw their children from school RSE?

The new legislation brought in through the Children and Social Work Act 2017 will bring about some important changes in relation to parental rights to withdraw children from school RSE: Parents will not be able to withdraw their child from Re…

#8 Do parents support RSE?

Most parents are very supportive of schools providing relationships and sex education, and also want to play a part in educating their children at home. - 78% of parents want primary schools to teach their children about the difference between s…

#9 What is the right age to start teaching RSE?

Children are interested in 'where babies comes from' and what makes boys and girls different from a very young age. So don't worry - it is natural for children to be curious and ask these questions. Children take in the information around them a…

#10 How will schools know what to teach in RSE?

The new legislation places RSE and Relationships Education in the basic school curriculum. This allows schools flexibility in developing their programme as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. RSE will not be a National Curriculum subject so…

#11 Can you recommend good RSE resources?

There are a range of relationships and sex education resources produced by voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and commercial companies. The Sex Education Forum does not recommend specific resources but instead encourages each scho…

#12 How do we tackle homophobia in our schools?

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia like any form of discrimination, should be tackled though a whole school approach. Schools should provide a safe environment for all pupils regardless of sexual orientation. Personal, Social and Health Educa…

#13 Are faith perspectives included in RSE?

Faith perspectives can be included in RSE alongside information about the law and medical facts. It is important that different types of information are identified as such, i.e. description of a faith position or belief, or legal or medical facts.…

#14 Does RSE damage children?

No, the reverse is true: - A large study in United States found young people who had received RSE were less likely to describe first sex as unwanted, and female respondents who had received RSE were less likely to have a partner with a big age d…

#15 How can we make sure that young people in my school get confidential advice and support?

It is important that young people can get confidential one-to-one support as well as having opportunities to learn about sex and relationships with their peer group. The classroom is a public place, where it is not appropriate to talk about priv…

#16 How do I know if a speaker or trainer is reputable?

Young people tell us that their teachers often don't know enough to teach relationships and sex education (RSE) well. It is important that teachers of RSE are well trained for the job, and that schools do not rely on external visitors as a substitu…

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“Gender and power dynamics needs to be a thread throughout relationships and sex education”

Lucy Emmerson

Lucy Emmerson

Chief Executive, Sex Education Forum

New Children’s Commissioner guide for parents on discussing sexual harassment

New Children’s Commissioner guide for parents on discussing sexual harassment

News16 December 2021

Two new reports further confirm the significant health benefits quality RSE has for young people

Two new reports further confirm the significant health benefits quality RSE has for young people

Statutory29 November 2021

Teaching sex education and puberty in primary school

Supporting you to develop and deliver robust teaching around puberty and body changes, and to introduce sex education in the primary phase.…

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