Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the statutory guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education and Ofsted guidelines on spiritual, moral and cultural development will emphasise the contributions of pupils and staff to high-quality education.

The draft guidance is clear that teaching for these subjects should be in line with pupil need, informed by pupil voice and participation in curriculum development, and should be in response to issues as they arise in the school and wider community. Schools should make sure that staff are equipped to deliver these subjects to a high standard, ensuring that the subjects are well led, effectively managed and planned. Staff have a vital contribution in ensuring these subjects are sensitive to the needs of pupils, for example by having regard to a pupil’s religious background or special educational need and also in ensuring they are embedded as part of a whole school approach.

Ofsted inspectors are required to consider pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) as part of section 5 school inspections. Ofsted’s school inspection handbook, attached, sets out the specific aspects considered under SMSC. It covers a broad range of matters including pupils’ reflectivity; moral and ethical issues; social interaction; participation in the community; and acceptance of and engagement with fundamental British values. Ofsted has recently consulted on new inspection arrangements, and will publish a revised handbook in due course.