Next steps for the introduction of statutory RSE Sharna Allen – Health Improvement Commissioner, Sexual Health

Workshop overview What is Relationships and sex education (RSE)? RSE – the evidence What is in the new guidance? Delivering an effective RSE curriculum So what next?

Why is RSE important?

Why is RSE important? Engagement carried out by Durex with over 1,000 British students around Sex education and their understanding of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5lJnyF5BBc&t=40s

What is RSE? Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up; relationships; sex; human sexuality; and sexual health Equips children and young people with the information, skills and values they need to have safe, fulfilling and enjoyable relationships and to take responsibility for their sexual health and well-being Contributes to behaviour change, including reducing unprotected and unwanted sex, and reducing harmful behaviour, including sexual offences such as assault and abuse. Good quality SRE also fulfils children and young people’s right to information about their bodies and health. Sex Education Forum (2015)

Why is RSE important? Majority of young people would prefer to receive information about sexual and reproductive health in schools. Source: Natsal-3 findings

What about Suffolk young people? When asked where they would prefer to receive information around Sexual health and relationships Out of 285 – approximately 50%

What about Suffolk young people?

What about young people in Suffolk? GAPS: Positive messages around sex and relationships (including LGBT+ relationships) Information and advice around consent and healthy relationships Where to go if you need help Safe sex (including non-heterosexual sex) Contraception and STIs Knowing what ‘isn’t normal’

RSE – the evidence Young people start having sex later First sex is more likely to be wanted, with a smaller age gap between partners Children are more likely to be aware of or report abuse First sex is more likely to be protected with contraception and condoms Young women and young men who cite school as their main source are less likely to contract an STI, and young women are less likely to be pregnant by 18 and experience unplanned pregnancy in later life Sex Education Forum: SRE – the evidence (2015)

Compulsory Relationships and Sex Education – the guidance It will mandatory for all schools to deliver health education and relationships and sex education by 2020. Guidance has been shaped by a lengthy consultation process and has now been passed by house of commons and house of lords and signed into law. Legislation passed in the Children and Social Work Act 2017 introduces Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) as a statutory requirement in secondary schools and Relationships Education in primary schools. This applies to all schools in England, including academies, with schools that are ready being encouraged to follow new guidance and regulations from September 2019. Primary schools are being encouraged by the Department for Education to provide sex education as well as Relationships Education

From September 2020: Relationships education compulsory in ALL primary schools Relationships and sex education compulsory in ALL secondary schools Health education compulsory in all state-funded schools (i.e. not independent schools) in England Parental opt out from sex education (primary & secondary) Child can opt into sex ed from 3 terms before their 16th birthday Does not apply to sixth forms colleges, 16-19 academies or FE colleges, although we would encourage them to support students by offering these subjects. These setting may find the principles helpful, especially in supporting pupils in the transition to FE.

Right to withdraw Parents will have the right to request their child is withdrawn from sex ed delivered as part of RSE, but not from sex ed within the national curriculum Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the parents’ request should be granted until 3 terms before the 16th birthday At that point, if the child wishes to have sex education, the head teacher should ensure they receive it in one of those terms Preserves parental right in most cases, but balances with child’s right when they are competent

What does this mean?

What does this mean? 5 minutes table discussion

Delivering an effective RSE curriculum

Using case studies and knowledge about what works in the delivery of RSE, the sex ed forum has also produced some principles for delivery which are based on the evidence, and if followed will ensure a high quality RSE curriculum RSE – the evidence Sex Education Forum statement of commitment for effective RSE - based on the international evidence – and endorsed by NSPCC, Children’s Society, Barnardo’s… Downloadable posters for schools and organisations contributing to RSE

Further points Should be taught about the society in which they are growing up and the law on relationships. All pupils should be taught to understand, value and respect the diversity they will encounter All pupils should receive teaching on LGBT relationships, and when they do the topic should be properly integrated into the wider programme Content must be made accessible for all pupils (particularly when planning and teaching pupils with SEND). In all schools, when teaching these subjects, the religious background of all pupils must be taken into account

Sex Ed Forum Roadmap Interactive roadmap – step by step guide on preparing for statutory RSE. Each step includes link to resources. Sets out step by step how schools go about implementing the new curriculum

For example… Whole school audit for schools to assess where they are and develop an action plan around what they still need to do An activities pack which outlines and provides resources to engage with pupils and staff Resources to help design a school policy It really is all already out there

Also loads of resources, lesson plans and planning tools which can be found in the roadmap and places such as Rise above.

So what now? – table discussion and feedback What role can you play in supporting good quality RSE? What are the opportunities and challenges in light of the new guidance? How can we more effectively support schools in delivering RSE? What measures can we put in place to ensure RSE in Suffolk is of a high standard and continues to improve as we move forwards?

Useful resources Sex Education Forum Roadmap - https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachment/Roadmap %20to%20statutory%20RSE%20-%20for%20web.pdf SRE – the evidence - https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachment/SRE%20- %20the%20evidence%20-%20March%202015.pdf PSHE association policy guidance - https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/curriculum- and-resources/resources/preparing-statutory-rse-and-relationships Free Rise above lesson plans - https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools/topics/rise-above/overview FAQs - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/relationships-education-relationships- and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education-faqs https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/ - membership unlocks access to a range of resources. New RSE guidance has been mapped onto their current PSHE curriculum for you. Specific guidance for both primary and secondary

Thank You! Sharna Allen - Health Improvement facilitator for sexual health – Sharna.allen@suffolk.gov.uk