Response to RSE curriculum announcement

Lucy Russell, Head of Girls’ Rights and Youth at global children’s charity Plan International UK:

“We welcome news that under the updated Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum young people will be taught about issues such as internet safety, what makes a healthy period and the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

“Our campaign for updated RSE lessons has been led by young people who felt the current curriculum brought out nearly 20 years ago didn’t reflect the world they lived in. We have amplified their calls for change and highlighted the topics they feel need to be included.

“It’s positive to see that the government seems to have listened to what young people say they need and tailored the education accordingly. We look forward to seeing whether the full guidelines address everything we raised through the consultation period.”