Teaching About Sex And Relationships

Numerous political figures, including David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Ed Miliband have emphasized the importance of sex and relationship education. Nevertheless, Ofsted reports that a third of schools provide unsatisfactory education in these areas. This does not come as a surprise, given that seven out of ten teachers surveyed disclosed that they require additional training on the subject, and the existing regulations solely necessitate a few related biological topics to be taught. To provide age-appropriate education is necessary for all children and young people. If students who are on the brink of puberty don’t learn about sexual body parts’ correct names and adolescents gain little or no knowledge about sexual health or consensual relationships, we are neglecting our responsibility to safeguard our pupils. Education select committee’s survey is starting, and we urge political parties to commit to enacting statutory sex and relation education. This will enable teachers to obtain adequate training and schedule time to discuss real-life issues such as exploitation, domestic violence, and pornography, treating the subject equally with other subjects. All types of schools, including academies and primary schools, must implement mandatory sex and relationship education, providing medically accurate knowledge about one’s body. Moreover, gender and LGBT equality should be promoted proactively during teaching, and half of the lessons taught should consist of relationship education. There is an overwhelmingly positive response from health professionals, teachers, young people and parents, encouraging the improvement of sex and relation education. Therefore, we call on leaders to establish statutory status for sex and relationship education as it is urgently needed.Jane Lees Chair, Sex Education ForumDr Mary Bousted General secretary, Association of Teachers and LecturersDr Hilary Emery Chief executive, National Children’s BureauPeter Wanless Chief executive, NSPCCDr Rosemary Gillespie Chief executive officer, Terrence Higgins TrustJulie Bentley Chief executive, GirlguidingJoe Hayman Chief executive officer, PSHE AssociationSimon Blake Chief executive, BrookDr Audrey Simpson Acting chief executive officer, Family Planning AssociationFelicity Owen Director of public health, Cornwall councilRuth Sutherland Chief executive officer, RelateAndrew Copson Chief executive, British Humanist AssociationJeremy Todd Chief executive, Family LivesAnn Furedi Chief executive, British Pregnancy Advisory Service Ann Hartley Deputy leader, Shropshire council Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain Chair, Accord Coalition for Inclusive EducationRod Thomson Director of public health for ShropshireAlison Hadley Director, Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange, University of BedfordshireLuke Tryl Head of education, StonewallGill Frances Life member, Sex Education ForumAndrew Wallis Lead member for children and young people, Cornwall CouncilRhys Hart Member, UK Youth Parliament for ShropshireDr John Lloyd President, Institute of Health Promotion and EducationSusie Parsons Chief executive, National Aids TrustJennie Williams Director, Enhance the UKHilary Pannack Director, Straight Talking Peer EducationJohn Rees Chair, National PSE Association for advisers, inspectors and consultantsDr David Regis Research manager, Schools Health Education Unit Lizzie Boyle Director, FruitionRuth Lowbury Chief executive, Medical Foundation for Aids and sexual health Alice Hoyle Coordinator, RSE HubSue Allen Chair, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays TrusteesPaula Power Director, CWP ResourcesYoan Reed Proprietor, Teaching LifeskillsDavid Evans CEO, APAUSEChris Cowan Company director, Loudmouth TheatreRev Jane Fraser Director, BodysenseLesley Kerr-Edwards Chief executive Officer, Image in ActionLiz Griffiths National PSHE CPD programme leadHilary Dixon Life member, Sex Education ForumEllen Adams Coordinator, Sexpression: UKDenis Cronin Associate director of public health, Cornwall councilRuth Hilton Member. Sex Education ForumMelody Dougan Life member, Sex Education Forum