Today’s news review looks at calls for sex and relationship education (SRE) to be made compulsory in all schools.
Sex and relationship education
The charity Barnardo’s has today, Wednesday 11 January, called for SRE to be compulsory in free schools and academies.
SRE is a compulsory part of the curriculum for maintained secondary schools but academies and free schools have greater freedoms over their curricula meaning that, although most do teach SRE, it is not compulsory.
Both the Secretary of State and Minister Timpson have said improving SRE is something the Department is looking at.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
High-quality education on sex and relationships is a vital part of preparing young people for success in adult life - helping them make informed choices, stay safe and learn to respect themselves and others.
Education on sex and relationships is compulsory in all maintained secondary schools, and many academies and free schools teach it as part of the curriculum. We are actively considering what further steps we could take to improve the quality and availability of sex and relationships education.
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