Sex Education in schools and colleges

We would not expect a Drama teacher to teach Maths, or vise versa. So why in the UK are we expecting staff in schools to teach Relationships & Sex Education (RSE) without specialist support?

Many staff feel uncomfortable approaching topics that they perhaps feel under informed in or are not qualified in, and equally many pupils feel uncomfortable having their usual teachers talking to them about sexual topics in a formal setting. 

The 2020/21 academic year saw an update to RSE policy that had to be adopted across all forms of primary and secondary education. This same year Ofsted published a report detailing how pupils felt that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse was so commonplace that most students did not report these situations. This was across all types of educational settings and should be accepted that sexist, sexual misogynistic behaviour was the cultural norm in and outside of UK currently. 

Pretty unacceptable right?

One would hope that the Government would act swiftly on this supporting schools with specialist sex educators, or funding to help support them. Regular, progressive and positive RSE can help improve the situation school culture currently faces.

Policy review – is the school teaching and promoting Sex and Relationships in the right way. With new policy now in place – how is it best to teach this? Are all school policies full inclusive of all genders?

Please contact me if you want me to work with your school/facility. 

  • Policy Review 

  • Relationship and Sex Education for all ages including a variety of specific subjects

  • Workshops for teachers on RSE

  • Supporting individual teachers on RSE

Period Bins in schools

Did you know… In many UK primary school’s toilets do not have period product bins. In many circumstances pupils that have started their periods are told to use the staff or disabled toilets, where these bins are provided. Asking a child to do this may make them feel excluded or different from their peers, making their situation embarrassing and an isolated event.

What you can do to help…

Periods can start between the ages of 8-15. UK primary schools go up to 11 years old, and therefore can contain some pupils that have started their periods. To not provide the BASIC support for these pupils in the form of period product bins is POOR. 

These schools are stigmatising the individual rather than normalising periods for the majority. This is a simple step towards rectifying a sexist situation. The presence of these bins may start a conversation that many find uncomfortable but as detailed on my Periods & Menopause page, it is time to end the taboo and secrecy over a natural process that 50% of the population endure. This secrecy only exists for male comfort. We are now meant to be a progressive society, so let’s make this comfort for all. Discuss, be honest & allow these positive steps to be seen. Let questions be asked. 

Biological RSE on periods is usually taught in year 6 – ages 10/11. By this stage, some pupils may have already started on their periods. Should this therefore be evaluated to help end the shame over the female body. 

Discussions about period product bins need to be had, to cover funding, policy and social taboo. Do you know how it works in your school?

Because we have always done it this way is no longer an excuse.