Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, or have taken, to ensure that schoolgirls who become pregnant can continue their education during pregnancy and after their baby's birth; whether they have held any consultations on this issue in the last five years; and if so, with whom they consulted.

The department published the attached guidance for local authorities in January 2013: ‘Ensuring a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs’.

In this guidance, we made clear that local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other children who – because of illness or other reasons – would not receive suitable education without such provision. This means that where a child cannot attend school because of a health condition or any other condition, for example pregnancy, and would not otherwise receive a suitable full-time education, the local authority is responsible for arranging provision and must have regard to this guidance.

The department has not consulted on this issue in the last five years.

The department is committed to improving education to ensure young people are supported to make informed decisions around sexual health. The department is making Relationships and Sex Education compulsory at secondary, in all schools in England and has completed an engagement process including a call for evidence with over 23,000 responses, including from young people. From these findings, the department will develop draft regulations and guidance for public consultation shortly.