New advice for schools on how to teach children about HIV
Media release: for immediate release: Thursday 27th November 2014.
New advice for schools on how to provide good quality sex and relationships education (SRE) which offers factual information about HIV and challenges the stigma associated with the virus, is published today by the Sex Education Forum, based at leading children's charity the National Children's Bureau (NCB).
The advice, set out in the latest edition of the Sex Education Forum’s e-magazine, is being published to mark World AIDS Day. It provides teachers with facts about HIV transmission, prevention, testing and treatment and lesson ideas that ensure myths and prejudice are challenged.
This practical information for teachers is issued by the Sex Education Forum at a time when a third of UK teenagers are unaware that HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. Although HIV, AIDS and STIs have been added to the draft Key Stage 4 National Curriculum for science, the Sex Education Forum encourages schools to integrate learning about HIV into a planned programme of SRE in primary and secondary schools.
Lucy Emmerson, Coordinator of the Sex Education Forum said:
“The key facts about HIV prevention and transmission have not changed in three decades but there remains no consistent level of education about the science of the virus. Our ‘SRE – It’s my right’ campaign continues to call for commitment to make SRE statutory as part of an entitlement to personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.”
“Young people say that they want to learn about the social impact of HIV– as well as facts. Our latest magazine gives teachers ready access to resources and fresh approaches which will help them support pupils to develop essential knowledge and the core social and relationship skillsthey need to stay safe and challenge stigma.”
The HIV Issue of the Sex Education Forum’s e-magazine is available from: www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/sex-educational-supplement
For more information please contact the National Children's Bureau's media office on 0207 843 6045 / 47 or email email@example.com. For urgent enquiries out of office hours call 07721 097 033.
Notes to editors
About ‘The HIV Issue’
This edition of the termly magazine produced by the Sex Education Forum aims to show educators how to provide good quality education about HIV. It is available to purchase for £4.99 from the NCB web-shop at http://shop.ncb.org.uk/category_s/1862.htm . Members of the Sex Education Forum receive the magazine for free.
About the Sex Education Forum
The Sex Education Forum is the national authority on sex and relationships education (SRE). We believe that good quality SRE is an entitlement for all children and young people and we are working with our member organisations - including religious, children's, parents, health and education organisations - to achieve this. For further information visit: www.sexeducationforum.org.uk
About the National Children's Bureau
The National Children's Bureau (NCB) is a leading charity that for 50 years has been improving the lives of children and young people, especially the most vulnerable. We work with children and for children, to influence government policy, be a strong voice for young people and practitioners, and provide creative solutions on a range of social issues. For more information visit www.ncb.org.uk
 M.A.C. Aids Fund survey carried out in June 2014 by Kelton Research M.A.C. AIDS Fund among 1,033 young people ages 12-17 years old in the United Kingdom.