This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47357372
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| School pupils to be taught about relationships | School pupils to be taught about relationships |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Primary and secondary pupils in England will learn about relationships, keeping safe online and looking after their mental health as part of compulsory lessons from September next year. | Primary and secondary pupils in England will learn about relationships, keeping safe online and looking after their mental health as part of compulsory lessons from September next year. |
| Children in primary schools will have relationships education and this will be broadened to relationships and sex education in secondary schools. | Children in primary schools will have relationships education and this will be broadened to relationships and sex education in secondary schools. |
| Health education for all ages will also be part of the curriculum in England. | Health education for all ages will also be part of the curriculum in England. |
| The details are in new government guidance published on Monday. | The details are in new government guidance published on Monday. |
| What issues will be covered in primary school? | What issues will be covered in primary school? |
| Under new compulsory health education lessons, primary children will be taught about how to look after their own mental wellbeing and also to recognise when their classmates might be struggling. | Under new compulsory health education lessons, primary children will be taught about how to look after their own mental wellbeing and also to recognise when their classmates might be struggling. |
| They will cover why simple self-care, such as getting enough sleep and spending time outdoors and with friends, is important. | They will cover why simple self-care, such as getting enough sleep and spending time outdoors and with friends, is important. |
| In terms of relationships education, primary children will also be taught age-appropriate online safety - including what to do if they come across things they are uncomfortable with, the importance of respect for others even when posting anonymously and the risks of talking to people on the internet who they don't know in real life. | In terms of relationships education, primary children will also be taught age-appropriate online safety - including what to do if they come across things they are uncomfortable with, the importance of respect for others even when posting anonymously and the risks of talking to people on the internet who they don't know in real life. |
| What will be covered in secondary school? | What will be covered in secondary school? |
| Secondary-age pupils will also have health education, focusing on mental health. | Secondary-age pupils will also have health education, focusing on mental health. |
| The curriculum will aim to ensure that young people can spot the signs of common mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression in themselves or others. | The curriculum will aim to ensure that young people can spot the signs of common mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression in themselves or others. |
| They will learn how to discuss their emotions accurately and sensitively and how to access professional help. | They will learn how to discuss their emotions accurately and sensitively and how to access professional help. |
| They will also cover the impact of alcohol and drugs on physical and mental health. | They will also cover the impact of alcohol and drugs on physical and mental health. |
| In terms of sex and relationships, lessons will cover online safety topics, including the serious risks of sharing private photos, the impact of viewing explicit or harmful content - including how to report it and receive support. | In terms of sex and relationships, lessons will cover online safety topics, including the serious risks of sharing private photos, the impact of viewing explicit or harmful content - including how to report it and receive support. |
| Lessons will also cover how the internet can promote an unhealthy view of sex and relationships. | Lessons will also cover how the internet can promote an unhealthy view of sex and relationships. |
| Secondary-age pupils will also be taught about female genital mutilation (FGM) - focusing on awareness, the availability of support networks and reminding them that it is illegal. | Secondary-age pupils will also be taught about female genital mutilation (FGM) - focusing on awareness, the availability of support networks and reminding them that it is illegal. |
| The government says they should also be taught about other forms of honour-based abuse, as well as grooming, forced marriage and domestic abuse. | The government says they should also be taught about other forms of honour-based abuse, as well as grooming, forced marriage and domestic abuse. |
| Schools will decide how frequently to hold age-appropriate lessons. | Schools will decide how frequently to hold age-appropriate lessons. |
| The new guidance follows an extensive call for evidence and a three-month consultation, which received more than 11,000 responses. | The new guidance follows an extensive call for evidence and a three-month consultation, which received more than 11,000 responses. |
| Will there be controversy over this? | Will there be controversy over this? |
| There are certainly groups who have concerns about what issues are covered in RSE and who feel some topics should not be taught by schools. | There are certainly groups who have concerns about what issues are covered in RSE and who feel some topics should not be taught by schools. |
| For example, a group of parents in Birmingham have protested over their children being taught about LGBT rights and homophobia. | For example, a group of parents in Birmingham have protested over their children being taught about LGBT rights and homophobia. |
| Also, a petition calling for parents to have the right to opt their child out of these lessons has attracted more than 106,000 signatures. | Also, a petition calling for parents to have the right to opt their child out of these lessons has attracted more than 106,000 signatures. |
| It says: "We believe it is the parent's fundamental right to teach their child RSE topics or to at least decide who teaches them and when and how they are taught. | It says: "We believe it is the parent's fundamental right to teach their child RSE topics or to at least decide who teaches them and when and how they are taught. |
| "We want the right to opt our children out of RSE when it becomes mandatory in Sept 2020. | "We want the right to opt our children out of RSE when it becomes mandatory in Sept 2020. |
| "We have grave concerns about the physical, psychological and spiritual implications of teaching children about certain sexual and relational concepts proposed in RSE and believe that they have no place within a mandatory school curriculum." | "We have grave concerns about the physical, psychological and spiritual implications of teaching children about certain sexual and relational concepts proposed in RSE and believe that they have no place within a mandatory school curriculum." |
| Later on Monday, MPs will debate the petition. | Later on Monday, MPs will debate the petition. |
| What does the education secretary say? | What does the education secretary say? |
| Education Secretary Damian Hinds says: "Growing up and adolescence are hard enough, but the internet and social media add new pressures that just weren't there even one generation ago. | Education Secretary Damian Hinds says: "Growing up and adolescence are hard enough, but the internet and social media add new pressures that just weren't there even one generation ago. |
| "Almost 20 years on from the last time guidance on sex education was updated, there is a lot to catch up on." | "Almost 20 years on from the last time guidance on sex education was updated, there is a lot to catch up on." |
| Mr Hinds adds that it is "appropriate" to make health education universal alongside relationships and sex education. | Mr Hinds adds that it is "appropriate" to make health education universal alongside relationships and sex education. |
| "It will help children learn how to look after themselves, physically and mentally, and the importance of getting away from the screen and the headphones. | "It will help children learn how to look after themselves, physically and mentally, and the importance of getting away from the screen and the headphones. |
| "And it can help young people be resilient as they chart a course through an ever more complex world." | "And it can help young people be resilient as they chart a course through an ever more complex world." |
| How have charities responded? | How have charities responded? |
| Charities have been generally positive about the government's new guidelines. | Charities have been generally positive about the government's new guidelines. |
| The NSPCC said the guidance would help children "navigate the modern world". | The NSPCC said the guidance would help children "navigate the modern world". |
| Head of policy, Almudena Lara, said: "The NSPCC firmly believes that every child should be taught from an early age about consent, different relationships, and what abuse and harassment is, so that they learn they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. | Head of policy, Almudena Lara, said: "The NSPCC firmly believes that every child should be taught from an early age about consent, different relationships, and what abuse and harassment is, so that they learn they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. |
| "Teachers must receive high-quality training and support to deliver the new curriculum, so that every school across the country meets the same high standards." | "Teachers must receive high-quality training and support to deliver the new curriculum, so that every school across the country meets the same high standards." |
| The Catholic Education Service said it welcomed the government's announcement. | |
| Director Paul Barber said: "Catholic education is centred on the formation of the whole child and age-appropriate RSE is an essential part of this. | |
| "It is essential for creating well-rounded young people, for equipping students to make good life choices and for keeping our children safe." | |
| Anna Feuchtwang, chief executive of campaign group the National Children's Bureau, said the guidance was "a welcome step forward in preparing children for adulthood, improving their well-being and keeping them safe and healthy". | Anna Feuchtwang, chief executive of campaign group the National Children's Bureau, said the guidance was "a welcome step forward in preparing children for adulthood, improving their well-being and keeping them safe and healthy". |
| What were your experiences of sexual education in school? Could it have been improved? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | What were your experiences of sexual education in school? Could it have been improved? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |