PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Relationships and Sex Education (5 September 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current provision for sex and relationship education in schools in England; if she will update her Department's sex education guidance to reflect the effects of children being exposed to pornography over the internet; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by:
Ms Diane Abbott (Labour)

Sex and relationship education (SRE) is compulsory in maintained secondary schools. Academies are expected to provide SRE as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Following the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education review, which concluded in March 2013, the Government decided that the current Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (2000) offers a framework for schools to build upon the delivery of high quality SRE.

The SRE guidance makes clear that teachers should refer to expert organisations for well-informed advice and resources. The PSHE Association, the Sex Education Forum and Brook published supplementary advice in 2014 addressing changes in technology and legislation since 2000. This equips teachers to help protect children and young people from inappropriate online content, and from online bullying, harassment and exploitation. The Government encourages schools to make use of this guidance.

Answered by:
Nick Gibb (Conservative)
11 September 2014