RSE report published and lessons remain 'on hold'

Mon, 04 Sep 2023

The independent report into the relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum taught at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) High School has been made public today (September 4) and lessons remain on hold.

The comprehensive 50-page report recommends that RSE lessons “should resume”, but calls for better communication with parents and specialist training for teachers to be in place first.

The report highlighted that parents were invited to provide feedback around the delivery of PSHE and RSE at QEII and out of the 18 responses, 12 were “negative”.

According to the report, “some teachers have commented that some topics are uncomfortable to deliver”. It added that the investigators would “support an improved scheme of communication” from the school to parents/carers regarding all forthcoming RSE delivery, including the provision of external access to lesson plans and other supporting material.

It also stated that the investigators are not “professionally qualified to make observations as to the suitability of the lesson material or about the age groups to which such material should or should not be delivered”.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: “The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has taken immediate action to address the findings.”

She continued: “I would like to again thank all the parents, teachers and officers who have contributed their time. We will work with schools to ensure that necessary changes are made and a clear plan is developed to inform the most appropriate way forward to resume delivery of RSE in early 2024.”

 

 

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