Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (Statutory Requirement) Bill (HC Bill 69)

1 PSHE in maintained schools

(1) In section 84 of EA 2002, in subsection (3) (foundation subjects), under
paragraph (h) there is added—

“(i) personal, social, health and economic education”.

(2) 5In section 85 of EA 2002 (curriculum requirements for the fourth key stage), in
subsection (4) (foundation subjects), at the end there is inserted “, and

“(d) personal, social, health and economic education”.

(3) Before section 86 of EA 2002 there is inserted—

“85B Personal, social, health and economic education

(1) 10For the purposes of this Part, personal, social, health and economic
education (“PSHE”) shall comprise formal lessons which aim to
develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of pupils to prepare them
for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

(2) The topics covered under subsection (1) shall comprise—

(a) 15sex and relationships education;

(b) education on ending violence against women and girls;

(c) education about emotional health, mental health and well-
being;

(d) education about equality;

(e) education about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs;

(f) education about individual safety, including online;

(g) education about physical health (including emergency life-
saving skills), nutrition and physical activity; and

(h) 5education about personal finance, careers, enterprise and
employability.

(3) The detail of the curriculum under subsections (1) and (2) shall be
determined by the governing body and head teacher.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsections (1) and (2).

(5) 10The National Curriculum for England is not required to specify
attainment targets or assessment arrangements for PSHE (and section
84(1) has effect accordingly).

(6) It is the duty of the governing body and head teacher of any school in
which PSHE is provided in pursuance of this section to secure that the
15principles set out in subsections (7) to (9) are complied with.

(7) The first principle is that information presented in the course of
providing PSHE should be accurate and balanced.

(8) The second principle is that PSHE should be taught in a way that is
appropriate to the ages and backgrounds of the pupils concerned.

(9) 20The third principle is that PSHE should be taught in a way that—

(a) promotes equality as defined with reference to the protected
characteristics included in the Equality Act 2010;

(b) encourages acceptance of diversity and difference; and

(c) emphasises the importance of responsibilities and rights.

(10) 25In the exercise of their functions under this Part so far as they relate to
PSHE, a local authority, governing body or head teacher shall have
regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(11) It should be a duty on the Secretary of State to—

(a) ensure that PSHE is included in accredited initial and
30continuing teacher education; and

(b) to issue guidance on best practice in delivering and inspecting
PSHE education.

(12) The guidance mentioned in subsection (11) shall be informed by—

(a) HM Government’s strategy on ending violence against women
35and girls entitled Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls
published on 25 November 2010;

(b) the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence
Against Women; and

(c) any other source of information which the Secretary of State
40considers appropriate.

The guidance shall include a clear emphasis on safeguarding, including
teaching about healthy relationships, gaining consent and how to
recognise and report abuse, and where to access support.

(13) The Secretary of State shall review the guidance mentioned in
45subsection (11) at least annually, and in reviewing the guidance the
Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State

considers appropriate. The Secretary of State must amend and reissue
the guidance if the Secretary of State considers it would otherwise not
be fit for purpose.”

2 PSHE in other state funded schools

5In Chapter 4 of Part 7 of EA 1996 (city colleges), after section 483A there is
inserted—

“483B Personal, social, health and economic education

(1) For the first, second, third and fourth key stages, the curriculum for a
school to which this section applies shall include personal, social,
10health and economic education (“PSHE”), comprising the matters set
out in section 85B(1) of the Education Act 2002.

(2) It is the duty of the proprietor and head teacher of a school in which
PSHE is provided in pursuance of this section to secure that the
principles set out in section 85B(7) to (9) of the Education Act 2002 are
15complied with.

(3) In carrying out functions exercisable by virtue of this section, the
proprietor and head teacher of a school to which the section applies
shall have regard to any guidance issued from time to time by the
Secretary of State.

(4) 20The schools to which this section applies are city technology colleges,
city colleges for the technology of the arts and academy schools.

(5) In this section “first, second, third and fourth key stages” has the
meaning given by section 82(1)(c) and (d) of the Education Act 2002.

(6) Section (1) of the PSHE (Statutory Requirement) Act 2014 applies to
25schools mentioned in subsection (1) as though they were maintained
schools.”

3 Extent

This Act extends to England and Wales only.