The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced today that PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) is to become compulsory in all schools, for pupils aged 5-16.
Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education, said ‘We are delighted that the Government has listened to evidence-based, expert inquiries into the provision of PSHE in schools and will ensure all pupils will have objective and comprehensive PSHE, and particularly Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).’
Mr Copson continued, ‘We believe that SRE can best be improved if it is a statutory, compulsory part of the curriculum in all schools, being comprehensive in scope and well above the minimum basics of what is currently required by law. Making comprehensive SRE compulsory in all schools, together with the necessary training and investment in teaching resources and information, should help to give teachers the skills and confidence to teach excellent SRE to their pupils.’
‘We are pleased that the Rose review on the Primary Curriculum, to which we made a submission in April, will look at ways to incorporate compulsory PSHE in primary schools. We hope that the Government will go further and ensure that the rest of the curriculum supports the progressive nature of PSHE, through also reforming RE to be a national curriculum subject involving learning about religious and non-religious worldviews, and to promote critical thinking skills.’
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For further comment or info rmation, please contact Andrew Copson on 020 7079 3584.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief. T he BHA contributes to debate on a wide range of ethical issues from stem cell research to sex education, and acts as a unique watchdog and lobbying organisation. The BHA is a member of the National Children’s Bureau Sex Education Forum (SEF).