A recent report by the House of Commons Education Committee has revealed the dire situation surrounding the current delivery of personal, social and health education (PSHE) and sex and relationships education (SRE), and made a number of recommendations as to what the government can do to improve it.
What's the situation?
PSHE requires improvement in 40 per cent of schools. The situation appears to have worsened over time, and young people consistently report that the SRE they receive is inadequate. This situation would not be tolerated in other subjects, and yet the government’s strategy for improving PSHE is weak, with a noticeable mismatch between the priority that the government claims it gives to PSHE and the steps it has taken to improve the quality of teaching in the subject.
Young people need the opportunity to receive high-quality PSHE and SRE at school. They have a right to information that will help keep them healthy and safe. PSHE also has a role to play in developing character and resilience, and has a positive effect on academic outcomes. When provided in an age-appropriate way, SRE can contribute to a school’s safeguarding efforts, and instil the principle of consent that will protect young people as they grow up. Delivering high-quality SRE is particularly important for the most vulnerable children, including looked after children, LGBT children and those with special educational needs.