FOR the first time, school children will have the chance to gain a qualification for their understanding of sex education and their views on smack and cocaine.
Pupils aged 11 to 16 will gain a key skills certificate, similar to an NVQ, once they have successfully completed all the modules in the programme which will be taught in personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship classes.
Two of the modules in the programmes will cover sex education and drugs education. Students will be assessed on their responses on issues ranging from sexually transmitted diseases to how they would act if offered drugs at a party.
The modules have been written and researched by the National Children’s Bureau and accredited by ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network). Brian Fletcher, curriculum development manager of ASDAN, said:
“The pupils will be asked to complete challenges which are highly motivating in a difficult area of the curriculum to tackle.
“A lot of teachers don’t feel confident teaching sex education and relationships and we thought it might help if they had some extra resources.”
The modules will be accredited on the basis of a portfolio of work which will be externally assessed.
