Innovation, inclusivity and leadership in the delivery of RSE celebrated at our annual awards ceremony
Educators celebrated at the Sex Education Forum’s annual Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Awards on 5 July 2022. After receiving dozens of nominations, the winners were announced by a panel of young people who judged the entries. The winners were praised for their leadership and skill in creating innovative and inclusive relationships and sex education in their schools, and making outstanding progress to improve provision.
Young sex educator, and author, 22-year old Milly Evans opened the Awards with a passionate reminder about just how much it means to young people to experience high quality and inclusive RSE, in which they can recognise themselves, feel the relevance of lessons to their lived experiences and be unafraid to ask questions.
A rich array of nominations were received from educators working in schools and youth settings across the country. We were overwhelmed with the high standard of entries and want to thank all those who entered, demonstrating the incredible commitment of RSE teachers nationwide.
A special thank you to our Award judges Jack, Hannah and Ellie, who are volunteers with our Partner, Sexpression: UK. The judges spent hours reviewing the nominations, using their insights as young educators to pick the 2022 winners.
And the winners are!
Below are the winners of each of our categories, including a quote from senior leadership within some of the schools mentioned below.
Educator of the year for most inclusive RSE
Awarded to Katy-Anne Waite, PSHE Teacher at Mayesbrook Park School, Dagenham. Katy has made RSE lessons relevant and accessible, helping learners feel part of something bigger. The Dagenham Ford Machinist Strikes, Marsha P Johnson and the Stonewall Riots provide inspiration. Students described a sense of belonging and feeling ‘part of something bigger’.
Cathy Stygal, Headteacher at Mayesbrook Park School said
“We are very excited that Katy’s excellent work on RSE has been recognised. Her approach to the subject is really accessible and engaging. She is inspirational and aspirational for our young people and makes a difference every day”.
Educator of the year for innovation in RSE
The winner is Vicky Stubbs, PSHEE Coordinator at Highgate School. Having introduced an exciting new ‘attitudes’ course exploring sexism, Vicky adapted a bystander programme for prevention of sexual harassment and violence, engaging boys as allies and creating scenarios and scripts with pupils and staff.
Rebecca Baxter, Deputy Head at Highgate School said
“We are delighted that Vicky has been recognised for her outstanding work in creating such an innovative bystander intervention programme for our Year 12 students. Her work on this course has transformed our RSE provision in the Sixth Form, and the involvement of pupils in developing the course and in passing on what they have learnt to younger pupils has helped to reinforce our belief in the importance of pupil voice in effective RSE teaching and learning."
Educator of the year for most improved RSE provision
This was the most popular category, with entries demonstrating amazing progress made over the last two years as schools fully implement statutory, high quality and inclusive RSE.
Joint winners Maria Butcher, Teacher at Hollywater School, which is a community special school in Hampshire, and Amy Higgs, PSHE co-ordinator at The Farnborough Spencer Academy, a secondary school in Nottingham. A special commendation was awarded to Hannah Morton, RSHE Coordinator at Royal High School Bath.
- Starting with pupil input and local data, Amy led a complete overhaul of RSE, which has resulted in a spiral curriculum, ‘safe questions’ box, trained staff, LGBTQ pupil group and plans to train parents in the year ahead.
- By involving pupils, parents and staff, Maria has transformed RSE so that it is inclusive and meets a wide range of special needs. Consent education spans from personal care to intimate relationships. An assessment framework provides rigour.
- A special commendation to Hannah Morton who asked pupils to design their dream curriculum and has made lasting change, guided throughout by pupil voice.
Chris Toner, Headteacher at Hollywater school said
'We are delighted that the work that Maria has done in tailoring a bespoke curriculum for our pupils to meet their wide-ranging needs has been recognized by this RSE Award. The impact of this work is already becoming apparent through the more open and honest conversations our pupils and families are having around relationship and sex education.'
Graham Johnston, Assistant Principal said
'Farnborough Spencer Academy is very excited to have an award winning member of staff! FSA serves a diverse community and Amy's appropriate and tailored RSE curriculum helps to ensure that our community gets the education they deserve. Children appreciate their well thought out and personalised lessons and see value in what they do'.
Elizabeth Cunningham, Deputy Head at Royal High School Bath said
“Hannah has revolutionised the school’s RSHE curriculum. Her energy, dynamism and creativity thoroughly engage the students in their lessons. She has a combination of candour and approachability that make her ideally suited to the teaching of sensitive topics, and the students seek her out for her wisdom and kindness.”
Prizes!
Winners will receive a selection of books and resources generously donated by Collins, Hot Key Books, Pasante and Jessica Kingsley Publishing. Sex Education Forum would like to thank all involved in the RSE Awards 2022, judges, nominees, supporters, partners and winners. All have helped make high quality RSE a reality for children and young people.
Find out more
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working with the Award winners to showcase their expertise and insight with Partners and the wider RSE sector. Watch this space for more information and see our twitter thread from Awards day.
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