Sex education to be compulsory in schools

By Joe Lepper
Children & Young People Now
27 April 2009

The government is to plough ahead with plans to make Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) lessons compulsory in schools.

The move follows the end of Alasdair Macdonald's review into PSHE, which is calling for the subject to be part of the national curriculum for both primary and secondary schools.

ADVERTISEMENT

In his response to the review children, schools and families secretary Ed Balls backed the recommendation as long as governing bodies can tailor lessons to local need and parents retain the right to exclude children from sex and relationship aspects.

Balls also backed the review's recommendation that PSHE should not be subject to compulsory exams. But he added: "The DCSF should work with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to find appropriate and innovative ways of assessing pupil progress in PSHE education."

The Association of Schools and College Leaders general secretary John Dunford has branded the changes to PSHE as unnecessary.

"The existing programmes of study in PSHE are fit for purpose and it is difficult to see why the government wants to turn this into a statutory requirement," he said.

Dunford was also concerned that Balls had not ruled out PSHE exams altogether.

 

Article Tools
 

Email this article to a friend

 
 
 
 

Comments

Please log in or register to comment

Posted Comments

There are currently no comments.

Latest Jobs

Find jobs working with children and young people

£18,858 - £23,252, North West England
£30,851 - £33,661 pa + Car*, South East England
See below*, South East England
£40,410 - £43,061 pa incl, South East England