Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their intention that the (currently non-statutory) syllabus in secondary schools relating to the subject described as "sex and relationship education" should include learning about non-sexual relationships such as the relationship between a mother and her child, or the relationship between siblings, or relationships in the workplace with colleagues or customers.

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is a non-statutory subject that can encompass many areas of study, including the importance of healthy relationships and how to identify those relationships which are unhealthy. This applies to all the relationships that young people have with their friends, peers and families. PSHE may also include pupils being taught about the workplace and how to develop the essential skills of teamwork and communication.

Sex and relationships education (SRE) is an important part of PSHE and is compulsory in maintained secondary schools. When teaching SRE all schools must have regard to the Secretary of State’s statutory sex and relationships guidance, which makes it clear that teaching should include the importance of loving and stable relationships and the importance of family life.