Are we all confined to a box?

Are we confined to a box through gender stereotyping and the influence of the media? This question was posed through a performance by the A-level drama class for their devised exam in January. The slick, challenging presentation demanded the audience, divided by gender, to confront deeply ingrained views on gender and our conformity to images and ideas forced upon us, sometimes quite subtly, by the media. Its success lay in its carefully planned and executed structure, using a wide range of styles and techniques in a series of ‘sketch’ style scenes.

So, the audience, comprised of a number of members of staff, was challenged. Now the whole school is being asked to question views and values as part of the Sex and Relationships Education programme being created to address current issues affecting our young people.  The drama presentation will be shown to all year groups during assemblies this week. Pupils will discuss the issues in the Thought for the Week sessions that take place in registration, when tutors and pupils have time to discuss the theme of the week.

We are bombarded by the moving image, on TV, on the internet, on our phones, and we are heavily influenced by what we see and hear. The SRE programme encourages pupils to become knowledgeable about the influences and issues that affect them, to enable them to make informed and carefully considered choices.

POSTSCRIPT: We invite parents, who are interested in being part of the SRE planning group, to email Katherine Lobo. We meet every Friday at 7.45, but will also be holding meetings at 9.15 for parents in the near future.

Mrs K Lobo