ATL comment on Ministers announcement for compulsory relationship and sex education lessons in secondary school

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “We particularly welcome this announcement as we have long called for compulsory relationship and sex education to be taught in our schools. We believe that relationship and sex education is essential, as it ensures young people receive vital understanding and skills to make positive and healthy choices throughout their lives.

“Making these lessons mandatory is only the start; it needs to fit with a complete whole-school approach where life skills are embedded across a broad and rich curriculum, supported by professionals who have the training and skills to deliver excellent lessons on the often complex issues involved. This training needs to be available from the early stages of professional education, with teachers having access to ongoing professional development.  

“Ongoing development is key as issues such as emotional and sexual health, sexting, consent and the impact of increasingly accessible pornography on young people’s attitudes to, and expectations around sex, are evolving due to technological and social changes. Therefore, teachers’ understanding and knowledge of such issues need to develop and be sustained alongside that.”