Earlier this month, Headteachers and subject leaders gathered in Manchester to discuss the importance of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) Education.

The free event, hosted by Headway, brought together sector leaders to explore creative and innovative approaches to PSHE.

1decision Founder Hayley Sherwood spoke about the need for both PSHE and SRE to become statutory:

“The focus on RSE takes the emphasis away from other important related areas which are covered in PSHE,” she said. “Children need to understand personal boundaries and gain the knowledge, vocabulary and confidence to cope when they are faced with a difficult situation or dilemma. By empowering children with these skills they will know what to do if they encounter something they think is wrong. For the current generation, this will help them as future adults, and in turn their children, and with a sustained effort we can improve society long-term. Education is the solution and PSHE is the main vehicle to bring about the change needed. PSHE covers a range of topics and therefore requires schools to have specialist training and specialist resources. If you take our 1decision learning resources, for example, schools can engage children in issues including online safety, differences within religion, same sex marriage, appropriate touch and peer pressure.”