Asked by: Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that sex and relationship education will form part of a wider programme of personal, social and health education, including skills for life and character building.
Answered by Lord Nash
We want all schools to provide young people with a broad and balanced curriculum that equips them for success in modern Britain. High quality personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education has an important role to play in this by helping young people understand the world around them, building resilience and helping them to make positive choices and stay safe.
Sex education is compulsory in secondary maintained schools. The Government is clear that all schools should make provision for high quality, age-appropriate sex and relationship education (SRE) which is a vital part of preparing young people for life.
The Government’s current approach is for schools to develop their own local PSHE programme to reflect the needs of their pupils. For some schools, their PSHE programme may include elements of SRE.
The Secretary of State agrees that we need to look again at the case for further action on PSHE and SRE provision, as a matter of priority with particular consideration to improving quality and accessibility. We are actively considering all our options and will give a view soon.