School governors have a statutory responsibility for sex and relationships education (SRE) in their school. The factsheet, Sex and Relationships Education: Support for School Governors, produced by the Sex Education Forum, explains what SRE is and provides answers to the questions frequently asked by school governors.

All schools have to have a policy (Education Act 1996: Section 404) for the teaching of SRE developed in consultation between headteachers, governors and parents, having regard for the DCSF SRE guidance issued in July 2000 (ref: DfEE 0116/2000). SRE is discretionary in primary schools but mandatory in secondary schools. All pupils have to cover those parts of sex education which are contained in the National Curriculum for Science. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from some or all SRE lessons which form part of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

According to new guidance, governors should:

• initiate a review of SRE policy every two to three years;
• have a lead governor to work with the PSHE and citizenship coordinator;
• ensure that SRE is in the school development plan so it is coordinated across the curriculum;
• support the staff in training'
• work with and listen to parents.

A SRE governors' pack: Developing Sex and Relationships Education in Schools: guidance and training activities pack for governors (funded by DCSF, the Teenage Pregnancy Unit and the DoH, and supported by NAGM), will be distributed free to all local healthy school partnership coordinators, local authority (LA) governor leads and members of the Sex Education Forum.  It is also available for £25 plus £3 p&p from NCB book sales - 020 7843 6029.

The pack, comprising book, leaflets and video, emphasises the responsibility of governors, providing support for school governors and others developing sex and relationships education policies and practice in schools. It can be used in a variety of ways such as governors meetings, school planning meetings, twilight training sessions, multi-disciplinary courses, seminars and conferences. The pack includes:

• A 17-minute video which shows how schools can develop SRE in partnership with governors, school staff, parents, pupils, health professionals and the wider school community.
• A book and factsheet, Guidance and Activities for School Governors, which provides information about the governors role, best practice, policy development, partnership and participation and a range of training and support activities.  The book concludes with the SRE learning outcomes for SRE at all Key Stages, suggested by Ofsted, and lists of useful organisations and resources.
• A leaflet for parents, Talk to Your Children About Sex, (which can also be downloaded via the NCB Sex Education Forum, and provides answers to commonly asked questions from parents).