Sex Education Programme

Sex education is a crucial part of preparing children for their lives now and in the future, as adults and parents.

It places emphasis on the importance of stable human relationships. Education about sexual matters is offered to pupils using guidelines laid down by the Department for Education. The facts are presented by teachers in an objective and balanced manner so as to enable pupils to comprehend the basic life processes. Puberty and the emotional, practical and social issues that it raises are dealt with sensitively. Pupils are made aware of the range of sexual attitudes and behaviour in present day society. They are given the opportunity to explore these issues through open discussion, and to know what is and what is not legal. Pupils are able to consider their own attitudes and to make informed, reasoned and responsible decisions about the attitudes they will adopt both while they are at school and in adulthood.

The school deals sensitively and objectively with such issues as contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality, gender and abortion. No teaching will encourage prejudice against any groups in society. Sex education should stress the importance of young people recognising their obligations. They should understand that both sexes have equal responsibility in sexual matters and appreciate the benefits of stable family life and the responsibilities of parenthood. Pupils will be encouraged to consider the importance of self-restraint, dignity and respect for themselves and others. They will also be helped to recognise the physical and emotional risks of casual and promiscuous sexual behaviour. In particular, pupils will need to know about sexual matters to ensure that education about health is not impaired and that they understand about the relationships between certain forms of sexual and other behaviours, for example drug misuse, which carries a risk of infection with the AIDS virus, and about ways in which risks can be avoided or lessened.