Sex Education Forum

The Sex Education Forum is the national authority on sex and relationships education (SRE). It is a unique collaboration of over 90 members and 750 practitioners with representatives from health, education, faith, disability and children's organisations.  We believe that ALL children and young people have the right to good SRE and this website aims to provide all professionals involved in SRE with the information they need to ensure this right.

Latest News

SEF Statement on Sex Education (Required Content) Bill
On 20th  January, Nadine Dorries MP's proposed Sex Education (Required Content) Bill was due to have its  'second reading' in the House of Commons. The Bill was withdrawn before the debate began - we will provide further information about this as soon as we have it. This Bill sought to secure abstinence education for girls aged 13 to 16.  SEF has issued a response.

Expert Teaching Group

SEF are looking to recruit senior teachers and leaders in schools across the phases to form a national expert group for SRE to support SEF's orientation towards providing specialist support to schools and the education sector, and wondered if you would be able to either a) join as a school senior teacher/leader, or if not, b) recruit members for this expert group?

We are looking to hold our first meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 9th February 2012 including a networking lunch, where the agenda will be focused around the development of the group including its terms of reference, aims and objectives. Although SEF has limited funding capacity we will be able to offer a financial contribution to be used towards cover and travel, as well as a year's free associate membership to the Sex Education Forum, including access to the network exchange, as well as Continuing Professional Development opportunities. Anyone interested should contact SEF sexedforum@ncb.org.uk.

PSHE review
The Government's internal review of PSHE has now closed.  Read the Forum's response to the consultation.

Statement by Sex Education Forum on teaching of SRE in primary schools
The Sex Education Forum, the national authority on sex and relationships education (SRE), based at leading children's charity the National Children's Bureau, is concerned about the recent challenges to SRE in primary schools centering on media coverage of a school in Sheffield.

SRE in primary schools serves to protect children from harm. It gives them an important knowledge of their own bodies, and it helps them to identify inappropriate or unsafe behaviour or experiences, and encourages them to get help from a trusted adult should they need to. (Read full statement)

Winner announced! 2011 Pamela Sheridan Award for SRE excellence
A Barnsley Council programme that takes a holistic approach to sexual health, drugs and alcohol issues affecting young people has won the Pamela Sheridan Award 2011. Read the announcement from FPA and a full case-study.  

Evidence briefing finds parents want support with SRE
Find out about what can help good communication between parents and children about sex and relationships in this new research summary.

1 in 4 young people don't learn about HIV at school 
This stark finding comes from a new survey of 800+ young people carried out by the Sex Education Forum. Read the full report and press release. 

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