Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to monitor whether (a) sexual harassment and (b) other types of gender-based violence and abuse are being taught in schools as part of Relationship and Sex Education.

Sexual harassment and gender based violence are covered within the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum. Schools are expected to teach these important subjects as part of the statutory curriculum.

Schools are accountable for what they teach. The 2019 Ofsted education inspection framework includes a ‘personal development’ judgement, and inspections will look at how well a school is following the new statutory RSHE requirements.

The Department is awaiting the outcome of Ofsted’s thematic review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. The review will look specifically at whether schools need further support in teaching about sex and relationships, which will provide some valuable insight and help us to consider how we can further support schools to deliver RSHE subjects effectively and confidently.