The demand for mandatory SRE is now deafening… The government can no longer ignore this safeguarding necessity’

This morning, a public letter to Justine Greening has asked her to “consider the consequences of failing to act” on making Sex and Relationships Education statutory in all schools. The letter is signed by the Chairs of five Select Committees, including the Education Committee, the Women and Equalities Committee, the Home Affairs Committee, the Health Committee and the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee.

 

 

Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

 

“The government can no longer quietly ignore the safeguarding necessity that is Sex and Relationships Education.  Without quality SRE, young people could be vulnerable to poor sexual health, low self-esteem, bullying, homophobia, unhealthy relationships and abuse.

 

“Today, five committee chairs have written to Justine Greening to call for SRE to be made compulsory, including the Select Committees for education, health, women and equalities and more.

 

“These experts, alongside MPs, parents, teachers and young people themselves, are unanimous in their call for legislative change to make Sex and Relationships Education mandatory in all schools.

 

“We cannot leave this up to parents, peers or the internet. It is complex, sensitive and needs a properly trained and trusted professional. Mandatory status would mean teachers would get allocated time, resource and training so the quality of SRE would vastly improve.

 

“The demand is now deafening, and the government must end its silence on this issue.

 

“Justine Greening must make a firm commitment to give every young person the tools to navigate the modern world outside the classroom, and to have healthy relationships, which they are ready for and want. This requires legislative change to make SRE mandatory in every school.”