Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing free period products to schools in England.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
In January 2020, the department launched a new scheme which makes free period products available for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. This scheme was extended in July 2022 for a further two years.
Since the scheme launched, 97% of secondary schools have accessed the scheme, as have 92% of post-16 organisations and 68% of primary schools.
Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing guidance to teachers to ensure that girls are treated sensitively and appropriately during their menstrual cycle.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
From September 2020, as part of statutory health education, primary and secondary pupils should be taught about menstrual wellbeing, including key facts about the menstrual cycle and implications for health. The statutory guidance can be accessed via the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805781/Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education.pdf.
The department is funding access to free period products in state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England. Our guidance states that teachers should work with their pupils on determining which products to order and how these should be distributed. Guidance for period products can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-in-schools-and-colleges/period-product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england#overview%20Period%20product%20scheme%20for%20schools%20and%20colleges%20in%20England%20-%20GOV.UK%20(www.gov.uk).