Sex Education
Children and young people need good quality sex education in schools if they are to stay safe and form healthy and fulfilled relationships later in life.
Currently schools are only required to teach the biological aspects of sex, contraception and sexually transmitted infections in secondary school and puberty in primary school. These are often covered in science lessons. The government recommends that schools teach about relationships, risks and choices which most Bristol schools teach but it is not mandatory at the moment.
What is the evidence?
National and international research shows that good quality SRE has a protective function as young people who have had good SRE are more likely to choose to have sex for the first time later. There is no evidence that SRE hastens the first experience of sex.
Here’s a really useful guide to what works and why:
Does Sex Ed Work?
Bristol Primary Schools
In Bristol, primary schools are supported to devise an age appropriate curriculum which focuses on learning about relationships, and later about body changes and reproduction. A programme has been provided as a basis on which schools can devise their own programmes having consulted with parents and governors.
Bristol Secondary Schools
Secondary schools are about to receive a similar age appropriate framework for a programme on which they can ensure that young people will not only receive the biological aspects of SRE but also learn about safer sex, healthy relationships, risks, and sexuality. It will be up to the schools to decide how they use this resource.
Schools in both primary and secondary phases are supported by a local authority advisor called Neil Davidson. If you would like any information about sex education (both inside and outside the school setting) please contact Neil on neil.davidson@bristol.gov.uk.
