The government announced that 'personal, social, health and economic education' (PSHE) would become a compulsory part of the curriculum from key stages 1 to 4 (ages 5 to 16). Lessons would cover sex and relationships, personal finance, and the consequences of drugs misuse. The announcement followed publication of two review reports.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 23 October 2008, columns 15-17WS, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Review of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in Schools: A report by the External Steering Group, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260) | Drug Education: An Entitlement for All – A report to government by the Advisory Group on Drug and Alcohol Education, Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: Hansard | DCSF press release | Speech | SRE report | Drug report | Citizenship Foundation press release | UK Youth Parliament press release | Unicef UK press release | NASUWT press release | Voice press release | FPA press release | SEF press release | Relate press release | THT press release | DrugScope press release | YWCA press release | Methodist Church press release | FET press release | BBC report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2) | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
An article examined the role of sex education within the family context. Even though parents wanted to talk to their children about topics related to sexual behaviour, they felt embarrassed and uncomfortable, and had neither the skills nor the knowledge to do so. There was a need for sex and relationship education parent programmes to ensure that the information being taught at school could be reinforced in the family home.
Source: Triece Turnbull, Anna van Wersch and Paul van Schaik, 'A review of parental involvement in sex education: the role for effective communication in British families', Health Education Journal, Volume 67 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Aug
A survey found that more than a quarter of teenagers felt confused, worried, and scared that they did not have the right information at a time when their friends had begun thinking and talking about sex. 11-14 was the best time to talk to teenagers to help them delay early sex and avoid risky behaviour. Teenagers were eager to talk to their parents about sex and relationships: but many parents were too embarrassed.
Source: Anita Naik, Everyday Conversations Every Day, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Aug
The official advisory body in England on teenage pregnancy published its annual report for 2007-08. It said that although the teenage pregnancy rate was decreasing, England still had one of the highest rates in Western Europe.
Source: Annual Report 2007/08, Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy (Teenage.Pregnancy@DCSF.gsi.gov.uk)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Jul
A report presented findings from the first national mapping survey of on-site sexual health services in secondary and further education settings in England. 'Good progress' had been made in making sexual health services more accessible to young people.
Source: Lucy Emmerson, National Mapping of On-site Sexual Health Services in Education Settings: Provision in schools and pupil referral units in England, Sex Education Forum/National Children's Bureau (020 7843 6045)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Jun
An article examined the differences between schools in rates of reported heterosexual sexual experience among young people aged 15-16 (based on a study in Scotland). Schools had less influence than socio-economic factors such as deprived neighbourhoods.
Source: Marion Henderson, Isabella Butcher, Daniel Wight, Lisa Williamson and Gillian Raab, 'What explains between-school differences in rates of sexual experience?', BMC Public Health, Volume 8
Links: Abstract | SPHSU press release
Date: 2008-Feb