The HSS believes that all children deserve a good education, regardless of the school they attend, and concurs with the consensus among health professionals in Scotland that the current provision of SHRE is failing Scotland’s young people.
In our response, which you can read in full in the attached PDF, we recommend that The Scottish Government revises the draft guidelines so that they
- Remove separate guidance for denominational schools.
- Clearly state that all of Scotland’s children deserve fact-based SHRE, regardless of religious and cultural belief.
- Oblige head teachers to adopt a partnership working approach with the appropriate health boards and third sector partners.
- Consult and engage more widely with parents, teachers, pupils, health worker, social workers, medical staff and all other interested parties to ensure that SHRE present facts in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner within a framework of sound values and an awareness of the law on sexual behaviour can be brought forward.
Latest Related Stories
March 31, 2026
Election 2026: School worship opt-out a key priority in children’s rights manifesto
February 16, 2026
Let’s not withdraw: Philosophy with Children as an alternative
February 12, 2026
New FOI data reveals widespread Christian evangelising in Scotland’s schools: Herald exclusive
February 9, 2026