PRESS RELEASE

Catholic Education Service for England and Wales: observations on Government response to Review of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE)

1          Today the Government’s response to their commissioned Review of SRE has been published.  There is much in the Review which we can support and important reassurances contained in the Government’s response. 

2          The circumstances nationally which have led to the Review include a well recognised yet damaging pattern of sexual behaviour among a considerable number of young people; a lack of a framework of values around matters of sexual understanding and behaviour; parents and carers who do not always feel confident to fulfil their role in educating their children in matters of relationships and sexuality; and shortcomings in the availability and teaching of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) in schools.

3          The Review makes important proposals, which the Government broadly accepts, and those which we can support include:

a) The priority given to establishing a “values context” for all teaching of SRE.  This aspect of the proposals will need to be developed in order to ensure that all SRE takes place with the due emphasis on relationships as the Review group have called for, and due regard for the protection of fundamental values;

b) A recognition of the importance of the role of parents as the first educators of their children.  This, too, will need to be carefully developed and we are pleased to note the recognition of the role and responsibilities of governing bodies that is included in the Government’s response;

c) Respect for schools with a religious character and the clear expectation that all SRE in Catholic schools will be shaped by Catholic teaching.

4          Sex and Relationships Education is rightly a sensitive issue and it is of great significance that in its response, the Government calls for PSHE to be made statutory across all maintained schools in England, including primary and secondary. Programmes of study are still to be drawn up but reassurance has been given that these will not be so prescriptive in character as to involve conflict with Catholic teaching.

5          In the fashioning of SRE it is important that parental involvement is maintained.  But it is also important to understand that good SRE, as carried out already in most Catholic schools, does not mean the early sexualisation of children and young people.  In a Catholic school it means children learning about their uniqueness as part of God’s creation, his love for each person, and how this means we must respect one another.  It helps children to establish friendships and it contributes to child protection.

6          The Review also calls for additional resources so that teachers can be designated and trained for SRE.  We look forward to our Catholic university colleges, higher education institutes and universities with religious foundations being key players in this initiative.

7          The Review and Government response will need legislation in order to be implemented.  The statutory rights of parents to withdraw their children from sex education remain but it is our hope that parents will not find the need to exercise this right as children are likely to benefit from experiencing SRE amongst their friends and peers. 

8          The Catholic Church in England and Wales will work with diocesan officers and others to ensure that the necessary support to parents, Governors and school staff is in place to help ensure that our children and young people grow up knowing and understanding the Church’s teachings, and with the factual information and skills that they need for their own health and wellbeing, free of exploitation and leading to fulfilled lives, which for many will include the joy of loving married relationships.

ENDS

Oona Stannard

Chief Executive and Director

Catholic Education Service for England and Wales

For more information please contact Laura McCann t: 0207 901 4854 or the Catholic Communications Network t: 0207 901 4804.

The report of the SRE Review and the Government response is available here: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_preview/index.cfm?node=9933&intContent=57749