Focus on relationships and sexuality in changes to sex education in Welsh schools

Credit: PA

Sex education in schools across Wales is set to change with more focus on relationships and sexuality.

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) will be introduced in 2022 for children aged five to 16 and place emphasis on forming and maintaining healthy and happy relationships. It will also include teaching on issues such as consent and domestic abuse.

Rather than only focusing on heterosexual relationships, the new course will aim to broaden understanding of sexuality and LGBT issues.

However parents will still have the right to remove their children from lessons and religious schools can teach the lessons in waysconsistent with their beliefs.

Children's Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland welcomed the changes.

Welsh Women's Aid was one of the organisations that advised the Welsh Government on changes to the curriculum. They described the changes as vital.