Relationships, sexual health and parenthood education is an integral part of the health and wellbeing area of the schools curriculum in Scotland. Children and young people need to gain knowledge appropriate to their age and stage of education and this aspect of the curriculum is intended to enable them to build positive relationships as they grow older. Schools should present facts in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner within a framework of sound values and an awareness of the law on sexual behaviour. The aim is to help young people make informed, responsible and healthy choices about their lives.
Learning about relationships, sexual health, and parenthood begins early on in primary school right up to S4-S6. Schools will equip young people with information on a wide range of issues, depending on their age and stage. This could include puberty, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), contraception, how to access sexual health services to the tasks involved in looking after a baby. They will be encouraged to discuss these subjects with their peers and parents, to help them gain knowledge, and the skills to become confident in making healthy lifestyle decisions for themselves.
Schools should work closely with parents and carers in the delivery of sexual health and relationships education, by discussing proposed lessons and resources with them in advance. If parents or carers feel that the content is not appropriate they can withdraw a child from all or part of a planned programme of lessons and arrangements should be made for the child to have alternative positive educational provision.