The inspectorate for education and children's services said that provision for personal, social, health, and economic education (PSHE) was good or outstanding in more than three-quarters of the 165 maintained schools visited across England.
Source: Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education in Schools, HMI 090222, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | BHA press release | DEF press release | BBC report | Telegraph report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2010-Jul
The Children, Schools and Families Act 2010 was given Royal assent. Large parts of the planned reforms contained in the relevant Bill, including plans to make sex education a statutory part of the national curriculum, had to be dropped because of an inability to secure cross-party consensus prior to the general election.
Source: Children, Schools and Families Act 2010, Department for Children, Schools and Families/TSO
Links: Text of Act | Explanatory notes | FPA press release | BHA press release | Stonewall press release | Christian Institute press release | NAT press release | YoungMinds press release | UKYP press release | SEF press release | Children & Young People Now report | BBC report | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2010-Apr
The government published a report setting out what had been achieved under its strategy for reducing teenage pregnancies, and what it proposed to do after 2010 (when the existing phase of the strategy ended). It said that there was a 'broad consensus' on the measures that were needed.
Source: Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: Beyond 2010, Department for Children, Schools and Families/Department of Health
Links: Report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2010-Feb
The report was published of an independent review into the 'sexualization' of young people. It looked at how sexualized images and messages might be affecting the development of children and young people, and influencing cultural norms. It also examined the evidence for a link between sexualization and violence.
Source: Linda Papadopoulos, Sexualisation of Young People: Review, Home Office
Links: Report | Home Office press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2010-Feb
The government began consultation on updated guidance on sex and relationship education. The guidance highlighted the importance of marriage and other strong and stable relationships for bringing up children. Secondary school pupils would be helped to develop the skills and confidence to say no if they were not ready for a sexual relationship, and learn how to avoid unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections when they did became sexually active.
Source: Sex and Relationships Education Guidance, Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: DCSF press release | UKYP press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2010-Jan