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ALL PUPILS TO GET HEALTHY LIFESTYLE LESSONS
23 October 2008-Government accepts recommendations of sex and drugs reviews- All pupils in state schools will now receive high quality lessons in everything from first aid and personal finance to relationships and the consequences of drugs misuse as Schools Ministers announced that Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) will become a compulsory part of the curriculum from Key Stage 1 to 4 (ages 5 to 16).The announcement comes in response to the principal findings of both the Review of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in Schools and the report by the Advisory Group on Drug and Alcohol Education, which both recommended that good PSHE was vital to providing a healthy, rounded education.It was also announced that headteacher, Sir Alasdair MacDonald, will lead a review into how best to make PSHE compulsory, ensuring that there is a place in the timetable and flexibility in the curriculum to take schools’ ethos, pupils’ needs and parents’ values into account. Updated guidance will also be produced covering the content of the curriculum, based on the existing non-statutory programme of study.According to the UK Youth Parliament, four out of 10 young people say they received no relationship education at school. Ministers are concerned that there are some serious gaps in young people’s education, especially when it came to subjects like sex and relationships and drug or alcohol misuse. The Government sees education as key to supporting young people to avoid teenage pregnancy, STIs, drug and alcohol misuse. They recognise that parents must take the lead in instilling values in their children, but that schools must help in equipping pupils with information and the emotional and social skills to make safe and healthy choices.By giving PSHE designated space in the timetable, providing more specific teacher training, funding, resources and a higher profile for the subject generally, young people will be better equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of modern life.The SRE review, in particular, identified a need to challenge the perception that sex and relationships education happened in a ‘moral vacuum’ in schools and says that parents and schools can and should work together to decide how best topics should be taught. Lessons should be age appropriate and the Government’s response says that while the existing framework at Key Stages 3 and 4 should be consolidated, Sir Jim Rose will look at how PSHE is best delivered in primary schools as part of his ongoing review. Some of the topics schools can cover include:
• Sex and Relationships: at primary school this means recognising that animals produce offspring, naming parts of the body, preparing for puberty and being able to talk about feelings and friendships. At secondary school it includes learning how to develop mutually respectful personal relationships and the importance of stable relationships to family life and how risky sexual behaviour contributes to the spread of STIs and unplanned pregnancy.• Drugs and alcohol: at primary level pupils might look at how medicines and toxins can effect the body. At secondary they might study laws around drug and alcohol misuse and their personal and social risks and impacts.• Healthy lifestyles: at all ages learning about a balanced diet and the need for exercise. Older children might talk about the interplay between physical, emotional and mental health. Also basic first aid.• Money: how to manage personal finance, employability, enterprise and making career decisions.Jim Knight said:“This is a bold move and a necessary one. Modern life is increasingly complex and we have a duty to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with it. It’s vital that this information doesn’t come from playground rumour or the mixed messages from the media about sex. We need structured classroom teaching, set within a clear understanding of right and wrong that emphasises the importance of family relationships. “Parents bring up children, not schools or Governments, but schools can help guide them through the maze of issues and prepare them for the difficult transition from childhood through to adulthood. We will ensure there is flexibility for schools to tailor lessons to reflect the values and beliefs of the parents and communities they serve.“Schools already teach PSHE, but it’s clear – especially from the feedback we have from young people – that teaching is patchy. In order to improve that we need to secure a place in the curriculum, renew guidance and increase teacher training, making sure schools have the resources they need.”Children’s Minister Baroness Delyth Morgan said:“This action fits with our vision of the 21st Century School, which provide a rounded education for children and Ofsted’s intention to create wellbeing indicators, which will be included in the School Report Cards we announced last week. “Ultimately this will help the drive to reduce teenage pregnancy, STIs, drug abuse and binge drinking – as well as equipping young people with a range of essential life skills.”Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. Link to SRE review http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_preview/index.cfm?node=9933&intContent=57749 2. Link to drug alcohol review http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthyliving/drugsandalcohol/ 3. There are strong arguments for making the whole of PSHE a statutory subject. This would underline the key role PSHE has to play in young people’s personal development. It is consistent with the emphasis in the Children’s Plan on schools developing young people in the round, as well as ensuring that they receive an excellent education, and with the priority we expect schools to give the issues which it covers. We have decided therefore that PSHE should have statutory status. In making this decision we want to work with schools and stakeholders to ensure that young people’s experience at school addresses their needs and supports them as they develop.4. There are complicated issues which need to be worked through thoroughly. Ministers have therefore asked Sir Alasdair Macdonald to engage with stakeholders and report on how the decision to give PSHE statutory status can be translated into a practicable way forward , taking into account the legitimate concerns of schools and parents, Minsters have asked Sir Alasdair to report by April 2009. (A short biography for Sir Alasdair is available on request.).5. The review of the delivery of sex and relationships education (SRE) was announced in the Children’s Plan (December 2007). An external steering group was established to take the review forward, comprised of: practitioners involved in the planning and delivery of SRE; experts in young people’s sexual health; representatives of faith groups; and young people. A full list of steering group members is provided below. The review was co-chaired by Schools Minister Jim Knight, Jackie Fisher, Principal of Newcastle College and Josh McTaggart a member of the UK Youth Parliament. The group’s independent report includes a number of recommendations to Government, designed to improve the quality and consistency of SRE in schools, to which the Government has responded.6. The Children’s Plan, published 12 December 2007, sets out the Department’s commitment to ‘examine the effectiveness of current delivery arrangements for all drugs education – including alcohol – and act to strengthen them if necessary’. In January 2008, Ministers agreed to establish an expert Advisory Group which would discharge the Children’s Plan commitment. The Drugs and Alcohol Advisory Group was commissioned to carry out this review and to make its recommendations to the Secretary of State. Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2008/0235
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