02/05/2012 - Permalink

Event showcases award-winning education programme

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Schoolpupils and teachers who helped Shropshire Council to develop an award-winning education programme marked its launch this week.

The Shropshire Respect Yourself Relationship and Sex Education Programme, also supported by Shropshire County Primary Care Trust, offers training and support to teachers, and includes resources for pupils in year 6 to year 11.

At the event yesterday (Tuesday 1 May 2012), the final resources were showcased after the programme was piloted in the county.  Schools also helped to celebrate the programme winning the national Pamela Sheridan Innovation in Sex and Relationship Education Award.

The accolade was part of the first ever UK Sexual Health Awards hosted by sexual health charities Brook and the Family Planning Association (FPA) and placed the spotlight on some of the best creative and innovative work in sexual health.  Shropshire Council was presented with the award in March 2012 after being chosen from six finalists.

Schools joined with councillors, and council and PCT representatives, at the launch and celebration event at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday, to mark this next step in delivering the programme.

Karen Burgoyne, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member, said:

“Yesterday’s event showcased the innovative, nationally-recognised work taking place to ensure that teachers have the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality, effective relationship and sex education.

“We are working closely with children and young people, including those who are most at risk, parents and partner organisations, to continually improve the ways that young people receive appropriate, accurate information about relationships and sexual health.

“The range of education, prevention and support offered is making a difference, with the number of teenage pregnancies in Shropshire at its lowest in more than a decade.”

Kay Smallbone, health development manager at Shropshire Council, said:

“The programme reflects the commitment from Shropshire schools, Shropshire Council and Shropshire County Primary Care Trust to deliver the very best for our students.  The event provided a great opportunity to celebrate their enthusiasm and commitment which has made this project possible.”

The Pamela Sheridan award will also be formally presented at Council tomorrow (Thursday 3 May 2012) by Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, to Kay Smallbone and Janet Graham, Shropshire Council’s group manager for care and well-being.

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