Today’s Ofsted report into child sexual exploitation (CSE) states that the abuse suffered by children in Rotherham was a “wake-up call”. Yet this wake-up call is still not being heard in relation to the crucial preventative role of PSHE education, the subject within which children receive sex and relationships education (SRE) and wider learning about self-esteem and how to stay safe.
PSHE is referenced seven times in today’s Ofsted report as an important means of raising awareness of CSE and keeping pupils safe. Yet the report tells an all-too-familiar story: some areas deliver PSHE well, but in many others teachers are untrained, leading to an inconsistent approach to a subject which should be a basic entitlement for all children.
PSHE Association Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:
“Almost a year after David Cameron acknowledged the need for improvement in SRE, and 18 months after an Ofsted report which found that PSHE provision is “not good enough”, there has been no change in the Government’s position on the issue. This is in spite of inquiries into child abuse in Rotherham and Manchester which have called for SRE in all schools, and support for statutory status for the subject from the NSPCC and the Children’s Commissioner amongst many others.
It is a source of immense frustration that in spite of all of these calls and the shocking abuse children have suffered, nothing has changed. We call again on David Cameron to make good on his word.”
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