Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the publication of final guidance and regulations on teaching Relationship and Sex Education and Health Education in schools, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including lessons on combating loneliness and social isolation.

The Government wants all young people to be happy, healthy and safe; equipping them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why relationships education is being made compulsory for all primary pupils and relationships and sex education is being made compulsory for secondary pupils. From 2020, health education will also be compulsory for all state-funded pupils.

The Department recently published the updated draft guidance, attached, which contains information on what schools should cover when teaching these subjects.

Pupils will be taught about healthy relationships including friendships, developing good physical health and mental wellbeing and the benefits of engagement in activities such as volunteering. The subjects will also address how isolation and loneliness can affect children and the importance of children discussing their feelings with an adult, including how to seek further support if necessary.