The British Humanist Association (BHA) has responded to a consultation on the new PSHE curriculum, calling for PSHE to be made compulsory in all schools and for no parental right of withdrawal from Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), which forms a core part of the PSHE curriculum.
Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education, said, ‘We are strongly in favour of a curriculum subject which gives pupils an opportunity for values education and education that will contribute to their emotional, social and moral development to be made statutory. Without exception, all children have the right to high quality PSHE, including SRE. We know that objective sex and relationships education improves young people’s health and wellbeing and therefore it is vital that all young people, whether they attend a community or a “faith” school, receive this education, as part of a wider PSHE. In our response we have made clear that the religious character of a school, which may or may not be shared by the school’s pupils or their parents, should not be allowed to skew the SRE that children receive.’
Mr Copson added, ‘We have also made clear that PSHE should be treated as any other national curriculum subject and therefore should not be able to withdraw their children from lessons. We look forward to the response to the consultation, which we believe should put children and young people’s rights, education and welfare as paramount – and that means making objective, reflective and balanced PSHE compulsory in every school.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Andrew Copson on 020 7079 3584.
Read the BHA’s response to the QCA’s consultation on PSHE.
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. The 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).