Guidance* updated on 26 June on the government’s Relationships and Sex Education curriculum states that faith perspectives can be taught in all schools.
In the section titled ‘Religion and belief, including teaching in schools with a religious character’ the guidance says: ‘All schools may teach about faith perspectives. In particular, schools with a religious character may teach the distinctive faith perspective on relationships, and balanced debate may take place about issues that are seen as contentious. For example, the school may wish to reflect on faith teachings about certain topics as well as how their faith institutions may support people in matters of relationships and sex.
‘In all schools, teaching should reflect the law, including the Equality Act 2010, as it applies to relationships, so that young people clearly understand what the law allows and does not allow, and the wider legal implications of decisions they may make.’
It would be naïve to think that faith perspectives will be taught, or even taught well in all schools. However, fears that faith would be excluded from the classroom as the curriculum states that faith discussions need to take place outside of the RSE teaching, have been partially quashed by the inclusion of this statement.
A positive offer?
The HPV vaccine is due to be offered to pre-teen boys in 2019 alongside the programme to girls running since 2008.
Some strains of HPV lead to cancer. Although it is widely thought that promiscuous behaviour is the main cause of HPV causing cervical cancer in women, and penile and oral cancer in men, the virus can be contracted by any contact including kissing or even just sharing a towel. Advice for avoiding HPV-related genital lesions includes having one sexual relationship.
