As evidence of the impact of PSHE education continues to grow, the PSHE Association has today relaunched its milestone report ‘a curriculum for life: the case for statutory PSHE education’.
This updated document includes calls for statutory status for PSHE education from experts including the Chief Medical Officer, Public Health England, the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Maria Miller MP, and national police lead for child protection, Chief Constable Simon Bailey as well as new evidence of the subject’s impact on pupils’ life chances.
PSHE Association Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:
“We are delighted to relaunch this document and demonstrate the huge support behind statutory PSHE and the growing evidence of its impact on children’s life chances.
As outlined in the document, there is strong evidence that, when delivered by trained teachers in line with best practice, PSHE education can support children and young people to protect themselves and others both online and offline, improve their physical and emotional health and develop character, resilience, academic attainment and employment prospects.
Statutory status for PSHE education is supported by 92% of pupils, 91% of parents, 88% of teachers and 85% of business leaders, the Children’s Commissioner, the Chief Medical Officer and the national police lead for child sexual exploitation, as well as over 100 expert organisations and a host of leading Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including the Commons Education Committee and the Home Affairs Committee and the chairs of Commons Health, Women and Equalities and Business, Innovation and Skills Committees.
Government policy is out of step with professional and public opinion on this issue. I once again urge the government to stop ignoring the views of parents and ensure all children and young people get the curriculum for life that they want and need.”
Download the case for statutory PSHE education here.