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How is Sex Education taught in schools already?

**Sex and Relationship education guidance DOC**

This GOV document outlines that children (including those who develop earlier then average) need to be taught about puberty before any physical changes start. 

What is sex and relationship education?

"Lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional development, as well as teaching about the importance of marriage for family life, stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care, it teaches about sex, sexuality and sexual health."

It involves teaching about reproduction, sexuality and sexual health, it doesn't promote early sexual activity or any particular sexual orientation.

Primary schools

Early primary years education in relationships focuses on friendship, bullying and self-esteem building. The transition year of moving from primary school to secondary continues to support children's ongoing emotional and physical development, as well as talking to parents about the school’s overall policy for sex education. Primary schools are expected to keep in contact with parents before the transition to secondary school about what will be taught.

Schools should have clear parameters on what children will be taught in the transition year before moving to secondary school. 

This should include: 

● changes in the body related to puberty, such as periods and voice breaking 

● when these changes are likely to happen and what issues may cause young people anxiety and how they can deal with these

● how a baby is conceived and born

Secondary schools

Secondary schools should set sex education within a broader base of self-esteem and teaching students responsibility for their actions.

Secondary schools should: 

● teach about relationships, love and care and the responsibilities of parenthood as well as sex

● focus on boys as much as girls 

● build self-esteem

● teach the taking on of responsibility and the consequences of one’s actions in relation to sexual activity and parenthood

● provide young people with information about different types of contraception, safe sex and how they can access local sources of further advice and treatment

● use young people as peer educators, e.g. teenage mothers and fathers

● give young people a clear understanding of the arguments for delaying sexual activity and resisting pressure

● link sex and relationship education with issues of peer pressure and other risk taking behaviour, such as drugs, smoking and alcohol

● ensure young people understand how the law applies to sexual relationships. 

Pupils should learn about human sexuality, learn the reasons for delaying any sexual activity and learn where they can get appropriate advice on sexual health.

As part of sex education students should be taught about the importance of marriage for family life and bringing up children.

It should also help them to be aware of their sexuality  and help them understand sexuality.

Sexual identity and sexual orientation

It is up to schools to make sure that the needs of all pupils are met in their sex education programmes. Young people, whatever their developing sexuality, need to feel that sex and relationship education is relevant to them. There should be no direct promotion of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation and what is taught in schools is an area of concern for some parents. Schools need to be able to deal with homophobic bullying. 

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Website/PDF online: Sex and relationship education guide- **JULY 2000** www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/283599/sex_and_relationship_education_guidance.pdf