Abstract

Both parents and schools have a vital role in sex and relationships education (SRE). The majority of parents and carers want schools to provide SRE, yet schools are often unsure about how to discuss the subject with them.
'Let's work together' is a practical guide for schools to involve parents and carers in SRE. It includes 7 activities that can be used in workshops with parents or as the basis for a school survey. The toolkit comes complete with:

seven activities to use with parents including photocopiable handouts

homework ideas that involve parents in SRE from Year 1-13

real life examples of how schools are working with parents and carers on SRE

photocopiable leaflets (one for primary and one for secondary) that schools can give to parents explaining the basics of SRE

summary of the evidence that parents want to be involved in SRE and that children benefit when they are

The benefits of schools working closely with parents and carers have been recognised in the Ofsted Inspection Framework for Schools. This practical publication will help schools, curriculum leaders and local authority advisers to communicate confidently and effectively with parents and carers and ultimately to improve the quality of SRE their children receive.

Lucy Emmerson is Coordinator of the Sex Education Forum, NCB. She has written several publications including accessible research briefings and practical handbooks. She is a co-author of 'SRE for the 21st Century; supplementary advice for schools' and edits 'The Sex Educational Supplement'. Lucy advises on government policy and has led campaigns calling for changes to the curriculum to improve SRE. Lucy has previously worked as a trainer at Brook in Birmingham and on interventions focusing on HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. Lucy has a MSc in Development Management from the Open University. Jane Lees is the Chair of the Sex Education Forum and an associate trainer for the Family Planning Association. She has an interest in curriculum development, and has contributed to the development of the PSHE framework and also to the Personal Well-being programmes of study. Jane's speciality is PSHE CPD and she works as a lead in one local authority and supports several others.