PSHE Association supports Sex Education in Science campaign

The PSHE Association has signed a letter along with over 100 other organisations published in today’s Times calling for the Government to reverse proposed changes to the science curriculum which it is feared could undermine high-quality sex and relationships education (SRE) in schools across the country.

Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:

“High‐quality SRE should be a key feature of every school’s PSHE programme, and this teaching needs to be underpinned by a basic understanding of human biology amongst all pupils; it is only right that this information should be taught in science lessons.”

“The proposed changes to the science section of the national curriculum could undermine this and risk making a situation which is already unsatisfactory even worse: a 2011 Brook survey showed that 26% of secondary school pupils reported receiving no sex and relationships education at all, while just 6% said they got the information they needed in SRE. And we know that even since 2011, many schools have reduced their provision in the face of tight budgets and competing priorities.”

“We need to move forwards from this position, not go backwards, which is why, alongside organisations from across the youth, education and health sectors, we are supporting the Sex Education Forum’s campaign for SRE fit for the 21st century.”

To see the letter and all the signatories click here.

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