Responding to the Government’s announcement on relationships and sex education, Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England said:
“I welcome this long-awaited consultation on Relationships and Sex Education. This guidance has not been updated since 2000, since when children’s lives have changed significantly. We need up to date and relevant lessons if we are to successfully help children learn about healthy relationships and prepare them for healthy adult lives.
“Children now inhabit an increasingly digital world in which the boundaries of their lives are expanding at a rapid pace. It is particularly important therefore to ensure that their online experiences are woven into teaching about relationships at primary school, and sex and relationships at secondary school. Given the increasing numbers of children seeking help for mental health problems, I welcome the emphasis on mental wellbeing as a crucial part of RSE.
“If taught in a flexible and adaptable way, RSE should reflect the needs within each school and community so that lessons learnt are directly applicable to children’s lives. I am therefore pleased to see that the DfE will be seeking the views of children and young people in this process, as well as teachers and parents.”
