
The Awkward Chat - Sex & Relationships (KS3-5)
60-minute high quality, detailed & flexible workshops or assemblies.
Performed to students in small or large groups.
May suit carousel days or one-off visits. Available throughout the year.
How do the sessions run?
Our workshops are performed by 3 professional actors.
We start by breaking down what we are covering in the sessions: we explore the definitions, clarify facts and any laws surrounding the topic, and invite the students to answer questions and get involved.
The students are then shown scenes with characters in everyday, relatable situations.
We use elements of Augusto Boal's 'Forum Theatre: following scenes which see young characters with conflicting objectives, we freeze the action and split the audience into groups; the students are invited to advise the characters about what to do next. This is designed to allow students to articulate opinions and feelings in a safe, objective environment.
What We Cover
All things Sex, Social Media and all the R's in between.....Relationships, Responsibility and Risks
Our RSE workshop explores issues included in the PSHE Suggested Programme of Study (Core Theme 2 - Relationships), and the RSE Programme. The Awkward Chat - RSE is designed for year 9+
We take a focused look at myths & facts surrounding contraception and conception, consent, readiness for sex and consequences of unprotected sex (including STI's), unrealistic media portrayals of sex and relationships, (including pornography), and the dangers & consequences of sharing explicit images.
The students are invited to offer advice to a series of characters, including a student who is being pressured by their friend to share an explicit image of a classmate, and a young couple where one is pressuring the other to engage in sexual activity.
We conclude by outlining help and resources available.
We're more than happy to tailor the workshop upon request to focus on any issues you feel are particularly relevant to your students.
Included with the workshop
Teacher's further work pack
Why is it so important to discuss Sex and Relationships with young people?
The 'awkward chat' can be... well.... awkward! Especially if it's the teachers responsibility, amidst covering the curriculum and maintaining the ever important line between student and teacher.
A previous Ofsted report stated 'SRE avoided discussion of sexual and emotional feelings and controversial issues such as sexual abuse, homosexuality and pornography.'
From September 2020, new RSE curriculum will be mandatory in all school.
UpFront Theatre Company's RSE Workshop covers all the issues giving teachers an easy point of reference during further work as you're able to recall the characters' issues and dilemmas in relation to the awkward bits!