FPA reacts to Government announcement to make PSHE statutory

23 October 2008

The Government has agreed to a key recommendation of the Review of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in Schools to make PSHE, including SRE, a compulsory part of the curriculum from Key Stages 1 to 4. Responding to the announcement Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa said:

“This is a momentous decision, we are delighted by the Government’s very public commitment to making sex and relationships education (as part of Personal Social Health Education) a statutory subject in the national curriculum.

“This move will dramatically improve the long-term health and wellbeing of our children and young people. fpa as well as parents, teachers, and young people have been calling for this for a very long time. Research shows that SRE helps young people delay the time they first have sex and promotes responsible and healthy choices when they do become sexually active. Statutory SRE will also become the missing foundation stone for the Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health Strategies.

“fpa has worked hard with the SRE Review Group to make sure the important role of parents is recognised. Parents are very concerned about this part of their children’s lives. However, there is a lot of confusion about what is taught in schools and at what age, and parents are often surprised when they discover what little is taught on the national curriculum. The majority of parents will be reassured that in the future there will be clear guidance and structure to deliver SRE across all schools and at all ages in England.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact fpa’s press office on 020 7608 5265/5264, mobile 07958 921060.

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

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