FSRH press statement: Final statutory guidance on RSE requires schools to provide medically accurate information on pregnancy options including abortion

The Department for Education has published final guidance on relationships education and relationships and sex education (RSE) for primary and secondary schools in England. New Abortion Factsheet launched this year by FSRH and RCOG is a valuable resource to help teachers to provide factual RSE lessons.

The statutory guidance sets out the legal duties with which schools must comply when teaching RSE and applies to all schools in England, replacing previous guidance from 2000.

Dr Asha Kasliwal, President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), said:

‘The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) welcomes the final guidance on relationships education and relationships and sex education.

‘We are pleased to see the addition of menopause as part of reproductive health knowledge that pupils should acquire in secondary schools. We look forward to working with our members to support schools in teaching pupils about the full range of contraceptive methods and pregnancy choices.

‘Pupils have the right to access high-quality, factual information that will empower them to make the best decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. The guidance requires schools to provide medically accurate information about pregnancy options, including abortion. Free, evidence-based resources such as the Abortion Factsheet launched by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is a valuable resource to help teachers to do that.’

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The guidance by the Department for Education can be found here.
• The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the largest UK professional membership organisation working at the heart of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), supporting healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. It works with its 15,000 members, to shape sexual reproductive health for all. It produces evidence-based clinical guidance, standards, training, qualifications and research into SRH. It also delivers conferences and publishes the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health in partnership with the BMJ.

For further information please contact:
Camila Azevedo
FSRH External Affairs & Standards Manager
Email: externalaffairsmanager@fsrh.org
Telephone: 02037945309