BBC News Article New sex education advice for Scottish schools

1. Sexual Health

1.1. Lessons on relationship, sexual health and parenthood are expected to reflect issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people such as same-sex marriage and hate-crime reporting.

2. Curriculum for Excellence

2.1. Teachers can neither condemn nor promote unmarried couples or same-sex relationships.

2.2. "The fundamental purpose of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education is to teach children and young people to have respect for themselves and others

2.3. "The issues covered by RSHP can be seen as the building blocks to how pupils look after themselves and engage with people for the rest of their lives.

2.4. An award-winning project at Kirkcaldy High School - where NHS services are provided within the school and where young people are trained to provide information - has been credited with helping to reduce the number of underage pregnancies locally.

3. Parenthood education

3.1. it delivers a much clearer link between the child protection system and the advice given to teachers on this important subject.

3.2. Positive response from seeing the inclusion of information about the steps that need to be taken to address the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

3.3. the guidance will be an important step in ensuring all Scotland's children are supported and protected through high-quality evidence-based relationships, sexual health and parenthood education."

4. Significant changes

4.1. the introduction of civil partnerships and same-sex marriages.

4.2. Schools and local authorities are responsible for deciding just how to put the guidelines into practice.

4.3. Parents still have the right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons.

4.3.1. if "alternative positive educational provision" can be provided.

5. Explore Issues

5.1. "Recent high-profile cases of Child Sexual Exploitation and sexual abuse have highlighted the importance of ensuring that education in schools equips children and young people with information to help keep themselves safe.

5.2. "Giving children and young people the knowledge and understanding of healthy, respectful and loving relationships and the opportunity to explore issues in a safe environment protects them from harm and promotes tolerance.

5.3. "The implementation of this guidance in all schools across Scotland will be a positive step in keeping our children and young people safe."

5.4. "Furthermore, there is extensive evidence that high-quality RSHP education helps reduce teenage pregnancy; delays the onset of sexual activity and increases the likelihood of young people using contraception when they do start sexual relationships.

5.5. "Young people have a right to get comprehensive, accurate and evidence-based information to help them to make positive, healthy and responsible choices in their relationships.

6. My Questions

6.1. How do schools and local authorities decide how and what is put into practice?

6.2. Are their available teacher resources / are these provided by schools/ local authorities?

6.3. How is the learning of pupils who are withdrawn from this education monitored if at all?

6.4. What do Sex Education lessons look like? /include