PSHE Association welcomes ‘major step’ from government towards better PSHE for all

• PSHE Association welcomes new government commitment to mandatory health education in addition to existing commitments to mandatory relationships and sex education (RSE).
• This makes the majority of PSHE education mandatory for all pupils, in all schools from 2020
• This is a major step towards addressing concerns about consistency of quality and reduced curriculum time for PSHE, despite its proven benefits
• This shouldn’t de-prioritise other aspects of PSHE. Learning about economic wellbeing and preparing for work are vital and inextricably linked to health and relationships.
• The Association will read the draft guidance carefully and respond accordingly to ensure proposals meet their full potential, and teachers/schools have the training and support they need.

With concerns about young people’s mental health on the rise, and physical health – including obesity and healthy lifestyles – an ongoing issue, the Association believes that these commitments can have a major impact on the health, wellbeing and safety of this generation and generations to come.

Chief Executive Jonathan Baggaley said:

“The government’s commitment to mandatory health and relationships education is welcome and a major step forward. Damian Hinds has shown outstanding leadership in guaranteeing young people an education that supports their physical and mental health, wellbeing and relationships. Many schools are already preparing young people for life through high quality PSHE education and these measures will encourage them to continue this work while helping to ensure a levelling up of PSHE standards across all schools so that all pupils benefit.

Health and wellbeing are central pillars of PSHE education, and this – along with recent commitments to mandatory relationships education – gives a clear signal to all schools that regular, high-quality PSHE should be a central part of their curriculum. This doesn’t however mean schools should de-prioritise other aspects of PSHE. Learning about economic wellbeing and preparing for work are vital to preparing young people for modern life – and are inextricably linked to health and relationships. Schools should continue to plan their PSHE as a coherent programme taking all aspects into account.

These commitments are a huge boost which will benefit children, young people, parents and carers, for many years to come – and are an answer to their call for PSHE to have higher status in schools. We will now look closely at the draft guidance and reply to the consultation on how it can work best for schools and young people”.

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