Education Business

A survey on Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in schools has shown that 80 per cent of teachers do not feel trained and confident to talk about it.

The survey by the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA), National Association of Head Teachers and National Governors Association in partnership with Durex asked the views of parents, teachers and governors on SRE in England.

The survey shows that 91 per cent of parents, 83 per cent of governors and 83 per cent of teachers believe it is very important that young people have information on practising safer sex.

Similarly, 92 per cent of parents, 82 per cent of governors and 76 per cent of teachers feel it is very important that young people have information on always using contraception.

However, only nine per cent of teachers rated the teaching materials available to them as very useful and more than one in four teachers and a fifth of governors also believe that current sex education in schools is failing children by preparing them for the future ‘not well’ or ‘not at all well’.

All three groups agreed the age at which different SRE topics could be introduced, and some, such as respect, behaving responsibly and protecting yourself from harm were thought suitable to be taught to pupils aged four to seven years old.

Puberty was felt to be suitable for children aged nine to 11 years-old while contraception choices were felt to be more suitable for children aged 12-14 years old.

84 per cent of parents agreed SRE lessons should be followed up in the home.

David Butler, chief executive of NCPTA said: "If SRE lessons aren’t preparing children properly for life as adults, then they need to be improved."

"More needs to be done to ensure teachers are trained in how to deliver sex education."

Further information:
NCPTA