Could using Dorothy Heathcote’s Mantle of the Expert as an interventional tool, focussing on online safety and building healthy relationships enhance the delivery of the Sex and Relationship Education Curriculum?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess whether using Dorothy Heathcote’s Mantle of the Expert as an interventional tool, focussing on online safety and building healthy relationships will enhance the delivery of Sex and Relationship Education in the Personal and Social Education Curriculum. The interventional drama work would focus on tackling issues of social media safety and creating safe and healthy relationships. The study will explore the content of the Personal and Social Education Curriculum and make suggestions for its enhancement. The study will be conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to analyse the necessary data. The interviews and surveys will be targeted at industry professionals, including school teachers and advocates for child protection in order to gather informed opinions from those in the field regarding the potential need for this project. The analysis of secondary data including existing literature surrounding this issue, legislation relating to the Curriculum for Excellence and statistical evidence will strengthen the argument for the need for this project within schools. Following the findings of the research, chapters relating to the main discussions of the project will give further insight into the risks and dangers of social media and assessing whether the current curricular benchmarks are beneficial to the learners’ education. The study then discusses the potential recommendations for the future of the project, basing interventional drama workshops on the work of Dorothy Heathcote’s Mantle of the Expert. The conclusion will analyse the processes of the study and reiterate the main points discovered throughout the research whilst also concluding any issues perceived about the current Sex and Relationship Education Curriculum. The conclusion also summarises the future suggestions for this project