About Lynnette Smith
MD & Founder
Lynnette Smith is the MD and Founder of BigTalk Education, she is a former Chair of the National Children’s Bureau’s Sex Education Forum Advisory Group.
Lynnette has a background in Youth & Community Work; she is also a qualified Teacher, Trainer and Specialist Relationship & Sex Education Trainer having worked in the field of SRE since the early ’90s. She has worked for several Authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber Region before setting up BigTalk Education in 2005.
Having worked in Relationship & Sex Education (RSE) since the 90s, BigTalk Education founder Lynnette is frequently approached to consult in many fields within the private and public sector. These include;
Government
The Government’s Women & Equalities Committee (a cross-party select committee) invited Lynnette Smith to Westminster to contribute to a discussion about sexual harassment and assaults in schools. The results of this enquiry were pivotal in RSE becoming statuary as of September 2020.
BigTalk Education were invited to attend the consultation meeting held by the Department for Education (along with partners such as Public Health England, Barnardos, Brook, National Children’s Bureau, the NSPCC, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Family Planning Association) to contribute to the age appropriate recommendations that will be published by the DoE in relation to the new statutory RSE guidelines.
Lynnette was the Chair of the Sex Education Forum‘s advisory board from 2018 to 2020, during which time RSE became statutory.
Media
Lynnette Smith regularly features on both national and local radio to discuss issues around RSE, especially contemporary issues such as sexting, children viewing pornography, grooming and the need to start Relationship & Sex Education at a young age.
In addition to her regular radio work, Lynnette has also appeared on various TV shows, including BBC Breakfast (BBC1), Porn: What’s the Harm? (BBC3) and Big Questions (BBC1).
Lynnette Smith and the team at BigTalk Education also regularly provide consultation for researchers in programme development.
Academic
Over several years, Lynnette Smith was involved in the Fatherhood Project undertaken by University of Leeds. This was an academic research study all about young fathers. The element which Lynnette was involved with, produced evidence that demonstrated that a lack of quality RSE for boys and young men, was a contributing factor in them becoming young fathers.
Lynnette Smith has previously held lecturing positions at both Lincoln & Hull universities on a part time basis.
BigTalk Education has worked closely with the University of Warwick, Lynnette has lectured on RSE both to undergraduate education and PGCE students. This includes additional smaller group workshops delivered by the BigTalk team.
BigTalk Education has been interviewed and visited by Reasearchers from all over the globe, including Sweden, New Zealand and a delegation of Japanese academics from Kyoto University who are undertaking a research project addressing international RSE programmes.
Specialist Work with Vulnerable Groups
As part of a partner town initiative Lynnette was asked to visit St Georges in Romania to provide staff training educating a multidisciplinary team who were tasked with delivering RSE in schools. Whilst there Lynnette Smith also worked directly with teenagers in Orphanages which culminated in the establishment of an ongoing peer education programme to benefit children and young people into the future.
Following concerns regarding the frequent withdrawal of Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) children from RSE lessons, Lynnette has worked in conjunction with the Doncaster Gypsy Traveller Voice Project, to create bespoke resources suitable for GRT children and young people.
The roll out of these Resources and accompanying Training is now available from BigTalk Education.
The Big Talk Education Team
The Team (in different forms) has been delivering RSE since 1996 and now consists of 10 fully trained Staff who deliver the many aspects of RSE. All our Staff have advanced DBS clearance, are covered by full insurance and have all received appropriate Health and Safety training. Big Talk Education is CHAS registered; we are affiliated to the Sex Education Forum. To find out about the rest of the team see our team page.
Request information on BigTalk Education's services for your school
Introduction to age appropriate RSE
Our guide to high quality, age appropriate Relationship & Sex Education for your child, helping you know what to expect from us.
BigTalk Education's Growing Up Safe Programme
Children want their parents to be the first people to talk to them about growing up, sex and relationships. Yet many parents say they lack confidence to answer their children's questions frankly, Schools are there to help, and BigTalk Education are here to support Schools and Teachers. Members of the BigTalk Team can come into School for a part or whole day, ensuring your children (and you as parents) are well educated to keep them safe, healthy and happy! Find out more >
BigTalk Education's RSE Lessons for Life
Our Programme in Secondary Schools uses a Youth Work approach to RSE delivery, participation, empowerment and inclusion are fundamental to its success. Our Team fosters a non-judgmental, relaxed, receptive atmosphere, which doesn’t shy away from sensitive issues.
Bodies, Babies & Bellybuttons
This book is a gentle introduction for children about their bodies and where they come from. A must have for all parents to help answer your children's questions in a simple, understandable and age appropriate way.
