Evaluation of the APAUSE Sex and Relationships Education Programme

Sarah Blenkinsop, Pauline Wade, Tom Benton et al

01 April 2004

The Government's ten-year Teenage Pregnancy Strategy aims to tackle the growing concern regarding teenage pregnancy rates in England. Central to the strategy is the improvement of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). The APAUSE (Added Power and Understanding in Sex Education) SRE programme, developed by the Department of Child Health at the University of Exeter, aims to:

• increase tolerance, respect and understanding, enhance knowledge of risks and counteract myths
• provide effective skills to those who wish to resist unwelcome pressure
• improve effective contraceptive use among teenagers who are already sexually active.

The programme consists of:

• curriculum materials for years 7 and 8
• sessions in years 9 and 10 led by teachers and health professionals
• and an evaluation questionnaire in year 11.

If you have any queries regarding the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy please contact the every child matters website http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/teenagepregnancy/