We are committed to helping schools improve their delivery of this important area of the curriculum. In addition to the Department’s ‘Sex and Relationship Education Guidance’ (2000) which includes guidelines on the coverage of sexual health issues, all teachers of SRE are encouraged to undertake the Government funded certificate in personal social and health education (PSHE). The certificate supports standards in the delivery of PSHE teaching including sex and relationship education and is also open to community nurses. To date, over 2,000 teachers and nurses have been certificated under the programme.
The Department has also recently announced the launch of a subject association for PSHE. The association will provide a central support network for teachers giving them a focal point to receive advice, gather and share examples of good practice and promote existing guidance, on all areas of PSHE, including SRE and sexual health.
In 2006-07, the National Healthy Schools programme, a key programme for driving up standards in PSHE, will also benefit from increased funding (£12.4 million). Healthy Schools must demonstrate that they have a sex and relationship education programme in line with DfES guidance.
Teachers have also been given a package of support from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. This has included guidance on assessment to help schools evaluate what young people are learning through PSHE as well as units of work on SRE.