The government has appointed Ian Bauckham, a former headteacher and president of the Association of School and College leaders, to advise it on reforms to sex and relationships education, Justine Greening has announced.
Under plans announced earlier this year, sex education will become compulsory in all schools including academies from September 2019. Relationships education will also be taught to all pupils from the age of four.
In his new role, Bauckham will speak to parents, teachers, children and other interested groups about “the topics that young people need to understand to stay safe and happy”.
This will include the development of “age-appropriate content on mental wellbeing, keeping safe online and LGBT issues”.
“We want all young people to feel equipped to have healthy and respectful relationships, so they can succeed in adult life in modern Britain,” the education secretary said. “That’s why we’ve committed to making sure more children learn these important lessons as they grow up.
“I’m delighted that Ian Bauckham will be working with us to gather views from a variety of interested stakeholders and to make sure we are reaching as many people as possible.”
Bauckham, who is chief executive of the Tenax Schools Trust and once led Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, said he was looking forward to hearing from “a wide range of interested parties”.
“Schools, pupils, parents, teachers and a range of groups with valuable experience in these areas will have important views and insights to share to help the government shape the next stage of schools’ work on RSE and PSHE,” he said.
“As a teacher and headteacher I am pleased to be able to contribute to this important work, which will help to make our young people safer and better prepared for the complex world in which they will live.”
Bauckham has advised the government before, both as the author of a review of modern foreign languages last year and as a member of the headteacher board for the south east of England and south London.
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