Justine Greening has been appointed today as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, replacing Nicky Morgan as part of new Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle.
Welcoming Ms Greening’s appointment, PSHE Association Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:
“The PSHE Association would like to pay tribute to Nicky Morgan who leaves her position today as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities and welcome her successor, Justine Greening, to the role.
We hope that Justine Greening will look at the status of PSHE education as a matter of priority. We know that too many children and young people are missing out on education which could help keep them healthy and safe and prepare them for life and work in the modern world. We also know that parents across the country want their children to learn about healthy relationships and safe use of technology at school and that the skills we build through PSHE education are hugely valued by pupils and employers alike.
Statutory status for PSHE education is supported by the Commons Education Committee, the Home Affairs Committee, the joint committee on preventing violence against women and girls, the Chairs of the Commons Equalities, Health and Business, Innovation and Skills Committees, Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, the Children’s Commissioner, the Chief Medical Officer, the national police lead for preventing child sexual exploitation, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the Association of Independent Local Safeguarding Children Boards Chairs, the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, Stonewall, two royal societies, five leading teaching unions, six medical royal colleges, over 100 expert bodies, 85% of business leaders, 88% of teachers, 90% of parents and 92% of young people.
We hope Ms Greening ensures that PSHE education gets the status, time and recognition it needs on the school curriculum so that we can help all pupils to have the best chance in life.”