Sex and relationships (SRE) government draft guidance, Jan 2010

The department for children, schools and families (DCSF) has drafted new guidance on sex and relationships education (SRE). The department's press release says, among other things:

  • "the key issues essential to effective SRE [include] [h]elping young people ... to respect the choices other people make regarding sex and relationships".
  • "Secondary school pupils will ... learn how to avoid unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections when they do become sexually active"
  • "SRE ... allows young people to make well-informed decisions"

The press release also says:

"The list of stakeholders involved in developing the draft guidance were as follows ... Sex Education Forum ... Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group ..."

The Sex Education Forum includes, and is run by, Britain's pro-abortion lobby: the Family Planning Association (FPA), Marie Stopes International, Education for Choice, and Brook. Regarding the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG), the government has accepted its anti-life/anti-family recommendations on sex education.

The draft guidance explained

Freedom of schools to teach pro-life/pro-family values

The draft guidance says (1.6) that :

"[Under] the provisions in the CSF [Children, Schools and Families] Bill ... there would be no ‘opt-out’ from the statutory content [of SRE]"  

So far, we know that the "statutory content" under the CSF bill (clause 11) includes a principle that SRE

"should be taught in a way that:
  • endeavours to promote equality
  • encourages acceptance of diversity, and
  • emphasises the importance of both rights and responsibilities.

These principles reflect the recommendations of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG).

The guidance makes clear:

"Head teachers and governing bodies are required by law to have regard to the guidance"

a requirement which is repeated in the CSF bill (clause 12). 

Religious beliefs

The draft guidance also insists (3.1) that:

"Schools should make a clear distinction between factual information and views and beliefs."

Ed Balls, the secretary of state, has said:

“Some faiths have a view about what in religious terms is right and wrong – what they can’t do though is not teach the importance of tolerance”.

and confirmed that faith schools should be forced to teach that homosexuality is normal and harmless, saying:

"If their faith has a view in scripture, they can inform pupils of that. What they must not do is teach discrimination. They must be absolutely clear about the importance of civil partnerships"

Abortion and contraception

The draft guidance says (3.1):

"[SRE] should also cover responsibilities to protect the sexual health of oneself and others"

The draft guidance insists (1.3) that:

"[I]t is vital that all young people have information about contraception"

That such provision is not limited to information, and not limited to contraception, is made clear at 3.1:

"Information provided by schools should reflect the latest medical evidence available on topics such as: the efficacy of different contraceptive methods in preventing unplanned pregnancies and STIs; and pregnancy choices."

This is made even clearer at 2.2.2:

"SRE should also increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding at appropriate stages by:
  • learning how to avoid unplanned pregnancy and STIs including learning about contraception and infection avoidance
  • learning about pregnancy and the choices available
  • learning about the range of local and national sexual health advice, contraception and support services available

The government accepted in November the TPIAG's recommendation that:

"all schools including faith schools must teach all aspects of SRE within the context of relationships in an anti-discriminatory way; contraception, abortion and homosexuality are all legal in this country and therefore all children and young people should be able to learn the correct facts"

The draft guidance (3.1) says:

"SRE should: provide children and young people with information about their right to confidential advice and support on sex and relationships." (3.1)

and

"[S]chool nurses, youth workers, Connexions personal advisors and sexual health professionals have particular areas of expertise that complement the SRE curriculum ... SRE is a good opportunity for school nurses to meet students to talk about how they can access individual confidential advice and support when needed." (3.4.2)

Pro-abortion material

The draft guidance recommends (2.6.2) the "Speakeasy" programme to help parents talk to their children about sex. "Speakeasy" is produced by the Family Planning Association (FPA), Britain's main pro-abortion group and the national affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the world's largest promoter and provider of abortions.

Abstinence

The draft guidance says (2.4):

"The evidence is conclusive that SRE does not increase rates of sexual activity or sexual experimentation in young people ... ‘[C]omprehensive’ programmes of SRE, covering a broad range of topics including factual information about contraception, sexual health services and sexuality and where the programme is coordinated with young people friendly confidential advisory service, have a positive impact on young people’s sexual behaviour ... International evidence-reviews [show that] [m]any of the comprehensive programmes had a positive impact on young people’s sexual behaviour but none of the abstinence-focused programmes had a positive impact"

The teaching of so-called comprehensive sex education in schools is one of the pro-abortion lobby's goals. The draft guidance thus promotes the type of sex education promoted by the pro-abortion lobby, and rubbishes abstinence education.

Sexual practices

The draft guidance says (3.1):

"SRE should promote awareness, respect and understanding for the wide range of practices and beliefs relating to sex and relationships within our society. Many people still face unacceptable prejudice and discrimination on the basis of their sexuality ... and intolerance towards difference needs to be challenged ... SRE should support pupils to value differences between people, to challenge stereotypes ..."

An anonymous young person is then quoted, saying:

"As a gay person, it was as if I didn't exist."

Further detail on what the government expects schools to teach

The draft guidance goes into detail about what should be taught to, and expected of, pupils at the different key-stages. At key stage 2 (ages 8 to 11), pupils should be taught

"To recognise and challenge stereotypes"

asking themselves:

"What is ... homophobic bullying and what skills do I need to do something about it?"

Pupils should also be able to answer the question:

"How does the sperm and egg meet during sexual intercourse and can conception be prevented?"

It should noted that many, if not most, of the pupils at this key-stage will not have started puberty.

At key stage 3 (ages 11 to 14), pupils will be taught to answer:

  • "What are sexually transmitted infections, how are they transmitted, treated, tested and prevented (including condoms)?"
  • "What choices does a woman have if she gets pregnant, including keeping the baby, abortion and adoption?"
  • "What are the different types of contraception including emergency contraception and how are these used?"
  • "What can I expect from contraception and sexual health services and where and when are these services available?"

Key stage 4 (ages 15 and 16), pupils will be taught how to answer:

  • "What are the features of different methods of contraception and what protection do they offer in terms of STIs and pregnancy?"
  • "Is responsibility for contraception and protection shared in relationships and how can responsibility be negotiated?"
  • "How can I contribute to challenging ...homophobia ...?"
  • "What sexual and reproductive rights do I have as a young person (including rights relating to information, healthcare, confidentiality and the law)?"
  • "What is the full range of services, help and information available to me including local contraception and sexual health services?"

By "sexual and reproductive rights", the government means abortion on demand

 


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© SPUC 2012