SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Report on the Working Group on Sex Education in Scottish Schools

APPENDIX 2 Remit of the Working Group

In the light of the Scottish Executive's intention to repeal section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 to:

• consider the scope and general content of the package of safeguards described in the letter of 27 January 2000 to School Boards and Headteachers from the Minister for Children and Education;
• report to the Scottish Executive on whether this package is sufficiently wide-ranging and robust to meet the legitimate concerns of the public, parents and teachers;
• review existing curriculum guidelines, advice and support information bearing on sex education;
• consider whether these existing materials and the existing arrangements for ongoing review are sufficient to meet the legitimate concerns of the public, parents and teachers;
• report to the Scottish Executive with recommendations for any revisions or additions to these existing materials and arrangements;
• commission with the Scottish Executive any agreed revisions and/or the development of any agreed new materials, which are to be completed before repeal of section 2A is brought into force.
• In addition, the Group was asked to consider the full package of safeguards and to comment on it.

Method of Operating

The Group met on 9 occasions between February and June 2000, 8 of which were full days. The work included consideration of:

• the terms of the draft guidance circular to Directors of Education;
• the references to sex education contained within existing national guidelines on the curriculum;
• the broader context for sex and relationship education within personal and social development and health education;
• legal advice about the implications of the European Convention of Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998;
• representations made by interested parties.
• commissioned papers and presentations on:
• the range of options open to the group (statutory provisions, regulations, guidance and guidelines);
• best practice in sex education;
• sex education and special educational needs;
• issues for denominational and multi-faith schools;
• teacher training issues; and
• local authorities’ existing policies and practice on sex education, health education, anti-bullying and consulting with parents.

In addition, individual members drew on the extensive material that was provided as background information.

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