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Pupil voice in RSE & PSHE

Pupil voice is essential to effective, meaningful Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). It means empowering young people to share their RSE needs and shape the education they receive.

What is pupil voice?

Pupil voice means giving children and young people the opportunity to have a say in decisions being made about their lives. It is underpinned by Article 12 in the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

In Relationships and Sex Education it means engaging with students about what they want to learn and how they want to be taught, to ensure RSE can best support them and meet their needs.

38% of pupils are not asked their views on RSE. However, focus groups organised by Brook found that even when students have never been consulted about RSE before, they are eager to get involved.

What are the benefits to pupil voice in RSE?

  • Ensures young people receive the RSE they want and need.
  • Keeps their safety at the heart of RSE aby making sure it is relevant and timely.
  • Builds trust as young people feel listened to.
  • Ensures RSE is engaging and meaningful for all pupils.
  • Develops pupil’s citizenships, communication and participation skills by teaching them to express their thoughts, ideas and opinions.

How to involve pupil voice

Read Brook’s 5 step plan to ensure pupil voice is at the heart of RSE.

5 steps to pupil voice

Hear what young people want from RSE

Here are some blogs by young people about what they would have liked their RSE to be.

Learn more for free

Our online course, Introduction to RSE, has a module dedicated to building your RSE curriculum with young people.

Enrol in our free online course

Looking for additional support?

Brook offers training sessions on how to create a safe space in the classroom and how to engage young people in RSE.

Enquire about Brook training

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