Tuesday 28 April 2009
The Sex Education Forum (SEF), the national
authority on Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), based at NCB,
warmly welcomes Sir Alasdair MacDonald's advice that Personal,
Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE education) should be
made part of the compulsory school curriculum. This will ensure
that all children and young people will grow up learning crucial
information to support their health and well-being, and is the next
step in ensuring young people's entitlement to good quality sex and
relationships education.
Jane Lees, Chair of the Sex Education Forum said: 'We fully
welcome Sir Alasdair's report which recognises the widespread
support for PSHE education that has been voiced by young people,
teachers and parents. The teaching of sex and relationships
education has always been very patchy, but by giving schools clear
information about what they are expected to teach, and promoting
training for teachers we can expect standards to improve.'
The report also recognises the important role that parents and
carers have in SRE. The Sex Education Forum welcomes greater
communication between schools and parents and carers about SRE.
Schools are also being encouraged to listen to the views of young
people to ensure the teaching meets their needs.
-ENDS-
Notes for Editors:
The Sex Education Forum is the national authority on sex and
relationships education (SRE). We believe that good quality SRE is
an entitlement for all children and young people and we are working
with its 50 member organisations - including religious, children's,
parents and governor, health and education organisations - to
achieve this. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk/sef
NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and
young people across every aspect of their lives. As a
membership and infrastructure support agency for the children's
sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential
information on policy, research and best practice for our members
and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies, which
operate under our charitable status and are based in our London
headquarters. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/
For further information contact:
Anna Tombs, Clare Quarrell, Clare Lilley NCB Media Office
Tel: 020 7843 6045/6044/6047/07721
097033
Email: media@ncb.org.uk