Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement on relationships, sex and health education by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 25 February (HL Deb, cols 69–79), what plans they have to ensure that such education balances the emphasis on an individual's safety and well-being with the safety and well-being of other persons.

We want to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe, in order for them to be equipped for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why we are making Relationships Education compulsory for all primary school pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory for all secondary school pupils. From 2020, Health Education will also be compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools.

We have recently published the updated draft guidance, which contains information on what schools should cover when teaching these subjects. The guidance, attached, is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781150/Draft_guidance_Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education2.pdf.

The guidance includes an equal focus on teaching children and young people appropriate behaviour with other people and on being safe online. For example, pupils should be taught about making sure that they treat others respectfully when they are online as well as recognising potential risks to themselves. In RSE, pupils are taught that there are a range of strategies for identifying and managing sexual pressure, including understanding and resisting peer pressure, and not pressurising others. We have made clear that, at all stages, it will be important to balance teaching children about making sensible decisions to stay safe whilst being clear that abuse is never the fault of a child who is abused and that victim blaming is always wrong.