Teach consent in school, urges Girlguiding

GIRL Guides urged the Education Secretary to introduce compulsory consent lessons in schools because sexual harassment in school corridors has become “normalised”.

A coalition of women, youth and antiviolence charities – spearheaded by Girlguiding – have written to Gillian Keegan to demand comprehensive teaching of relationships, sex education and the importance of consent.

They accuse the Government of failing to embed relationships and sex education (RSE) in the curriculum, having suffered delays during the pandemic, and claim that schools are not “safe spaces where pupils are free to learn”.

In an open letter shared with The Sunday Telegraph, the charities claim that “there are clearly inconsistencies in how RSE is being delivered across the country, leaving it unable to have the nationwide impact it needs to”.

Relationships education is compulsory in all primary schools in England and relationships and sex education is compulsory in all secondary schools.

However, charities and campaigners argue this does not go far enough.

The coalition of charities are calling for a commitment to RSE delivery and for all pupils to learn about consent, the publication of guidance to help schools address sexual harassment and abuse, as was promised almost 18 months ago, and more training for teachers.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Relationships, sex and health education is now a mandatory part of the curriculum, helping pupils learn about challenging subjects in ageappropriate ways.”