The children’s author and illustrator Olly Pike and author and television presenter Janet Ellis, are among celebrities sharing the books they love about love to mark RSE Day 2020 on 25th June.
RSE Day, coordinated by the Sex Education Forum in partnership with Nottingham City Council, encourages everyone to consider their role in promoting healthy relationships and positive sexual health - whether as a parent or carer, an educator, a faith leader, a councillor, a health practitioner, a friend or family member.
<< WATCH THE CELEBRITIES READING FROM THEIR FAVOURITE BOOKS ABOUT LOVE >>
Influencers and celebrities will be taking to social media, as the nation is invited to share their favourite books that have a story to tell about positive relationships, using the hashtags #RSEday and #RSEtogether.
Olly Pike has been noted as one to watch on the Independent on Sunday’s “Rainbow List”. His YouTube channel has had over 1 million views and his books are currently being used in UK classrooms and beyond.
Schools will be playing their part in RSE Day, with relationships themed activities taking part in classrooms and via online learning across the country.
<< FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RSE DAY AND THE WORK OF THE SEX EDUCATION FORUM >>
Parents’ participation is just as vital, and a pack of activities has been distributed that parents can use to start valuable conversations with children and young people at home.
In Nottingham, RSE Day will feature online creative workshops exploring healthy relationships; with poetry, visual arts, music and dance online lessons, creative challenges and short story and picture book readings. Celebrations in the city will be supported by CBeebies star Sid Sloane.
The Sex Education Forum will announce winners of the RSE Teaching Awards, recognising the achievements of staff in primary, secondary and special schools, as well as the most effective adaption of RSE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lucy Emmerson, Director of the Sex Education Forum, said:
‘It’s a landmark year for RSE. From September, the subject becomes a guaranteed part of every child’s education. So it is a perfect moment for everyone to think about healthy relationships, and how education at school can complement learning in the home and within our communities, so that children and young people get the information they need. It’s easy to show your support for RSE, just share a book that really speaks to you about love and let’s get the conversation started.’
Catherine Underwood, Corporate Director for People at Nottingham City Council, said:
“RSE Day is a really important event in our school calendar. Good RSE can equip young people with facts they can trust, helping to keep them safe and preventing them from turning to playground gossip or dubious information online. It is important that children and young people are given the opportunity to explore a range of family and relationship types in a way that is supportive, inclusive and affirms children’s different experiences of family life.”
You can download useful resources, including tips for schools and parents on getting involved here.
On social media use #RSEday #RSEtogether @RSE_day and @Sex_Ed_Forum
Notes
About Olly Pike
Olly Pike is a children's author and illustrator, LGBT+ Youtuber, and Director of Pop'n'Olly LTD.
Olly has been noted as one to watch on the Independent on Sunday’s “Rainbow List”, Olly has since spoken at London City Hall and Parliament, regarding Children’s Rights and Mental Health in relation to LGBT+ Education. He also shared his work at Stonewalls 'Education for All' 2017 Conference.
Olly was shortlisted for a ‘National Diversity Award’ in 2017 for his LGBT+ educational work. His YouTube channel has had over 1 million views and his books are currently being used in UK classrooms and beyond.
Olly's experience in children's entertainment ranges from playing 'Wiley Sneak' in the BAFTA winning CBBC Television show 'Trapped' and 'Trapped: Ever After', to numerous theatrical productions including West End credits and regular appearances in Pantomime.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-pike-13229825/?originalSubdomain=uk
About Janet Ellis
Janet Ellis is an English television presenter, actor and writer, who is best known for presenting the children's television programmes Blue Peter and Jigsaw between 1979 and 1987. She has published two novels, The Butcher's Hook (2016) and How It Was (2019).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Ellis
About RSE Day
RSE Day is the original idea of Nottingham City Council. The first RSE day took place on 28 June 2018. To build on the success of the first RSE day, Nottingham City Council is working in partnership with the Sex Education Forum to increase the profile of the day across the country.
The overall aim of RSE Day is to improve the quality and reach of relationships and sex education provided for children and young people by celebrating good practice RSE on an annual national day. Good quality RSE needs to happen all year round, with a planned curriculum, but 25 June 2020 is an opportunity to start new conversations and share what you are doing with others.
For more information visit: www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources/rse-day-25-june-2020