New Research Suggests Problems With Sex Education in English Schools:  A survey from the Sex Education Forum, based within the National Children’s Bureau, has found that almost one in three young people do not learn about sexual consent in their sex education lessons. According to the charity, despite being compulsory in maintained secondary schools, sex education in English schools often ignores real life situations and issues. Figures also suggested, for instance, that a third of those taking part in the survey did not know or were unsure of how to get help if they were a victim of sexual assault. The findings from the survey are based on interviews with 890 individuals aged between 14 and 25 – the majority were aged between 16 and 17.

Whilst a third had not been taught about the concept of consent, only 43% (around two in five) said they has been taught what  was ‘good and bad about a relationship’.  In addition, only a third were aware that a 14 year old can receive contraception confidentially, and less than half knew that a 15 year old is able to receive a HIV test without a relative being told.

New Research Suggests Problems With Sex Education in English Schools

Lucy Emmerson, the co-ordinator of the Sex Education Forum, felt that teaching was often ‘too theoretical’ and that it failed to deal with the ‘real-life practicalities of getting help, or building the skills for pleasurable, equal and safe relationships.’

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education stated that schools ‘must teach pupils about how the law applies to sexual relationships so that they understand concepts such as sexual consent.’ She also noted that the DfE has recently consulted on a guide for teachers which deals with the issue of consent within sex education.

Other feedback on the survey came from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, stating that the results demonstrated a ‘dire need’ for all young people to have high quality sexual and relationship education in order to ensure their own safety, and to allow them to make informed and sensible decisions. The ATL’s general secretary, Mary Bousted, said sex must not simply ‘appear sporadically on the timetable’ and should be covered in a meaningful way.

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