In Aberdeen schools, the main emphasis in sex education is on the development of loving, caring, respectful and stable relationships. It is part of a wider programme of Personal and Social Education (PSE) and health promotion.

Indeed developing relationships is fundamental to all of PSE including sex education. Central to the programme are the development of the capacity for caring, respectful and loving relationships and the understanding of the need for stable relationships in bringing up children.

Consistent with research into best practice, the approach taken by Aberdeen schools to sex education is to ensure that young people have correct factual information relevant to their stage of development and that this information is provided in a setting which includes discussion, reflection and consideration of consequences. This is the most likely way of assisting young people to make responsible and considered choices based on respect for themselves and other people and to eventually become mature adults who are able to bring up a family in a caring and secure environment.

Aberdeen City supports the guidance from the Scottish Executive about sex education in schools and is implementing this, although some aspects will take a few years to be fully developed.

Sex education aims to help young people to

• have the relevant facts at appropriate stages of their development
• develop skills, attitudes and knowledge in fundamental areas of life (self awareness, self esteem, personal relationships, creating and using opportunities)
• develop attitudes and values
• develop independence and interdependence
• develop the skills they need to make informed choices of their own and to solve problems and difficulties

The resources used for sex education in Aberdeen City schools vary from school to school as each school devises its own programme - in line with national and local guidance - based on the needs and maturity of its own pupils. These programmes sometimes draw considerably on published materials from experienced bodies such as Health Promotions, the Health Education Board for Scotland, TACADE, and also on materials published by various educational publishers in the UK.

Resources in use in schools include