Young people from the Lancashire Youth Council are calling for a compulsory 'curriculum for life' to be taught in all schools.



A curriculum for life includes the teaching of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) to help young people to manage their life and stay safe.

The teaching of PSHE isn't currently part of the National Curriculum, but is taught in schools to varying levels. The youth council's campaign wants PHSE to become statutory.

Their campaign has also been backed by County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools.

He said: "Young people feel that they would really benefit from having lessons to help them to negotiate life's challenges and opportunities.

"The teaching of complex issues such as online safety may help young people to handle the modern world with more confidence. Although the advance of the internet and the digital age offer tremendous opportunities, they also bring new pressures with them that possibly require a new way of helping young people to deal with them.

"Schools may be well-placed to support children and young people's development through dedicated PSHE lessons, taught by trained teachers.

"I firmly believe that PSHE, when taught well, helps to keep young people safe, mentally and physically healthy and prepared for life and work."

School surveys and research looking at the ways that PHSE is currently delivered in schools and colleges will form part of the young people's campaign. Areas of excellence will be highlighted as examples of good practice.

A curriculum pack is being developed by the Lancashire Youth Council, endorsed by the county council, which will be available to schools across the county next year. This pack would include set lesson plans and exam papers for pupils to take to check their understanding.

The Lancashire Youth Council also plan to take a look at how PSHE, and also Citizenship, is taught nationally, to ensure that a consistent high standard is achieved.

Campaign progress will also be monitored by the young people, to make sure that a difference is being made.

This campaign adds momentum to the call for statutory PSHE education. 967,000 young people voted in last year's UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) campaign to choose priorities for the year ahead.

A curriculum for life and compulsory mental health education were two of the three most popular topics chosen for a debate in November 2015 in the House of Commons.

The Youth Council is supported by Lancashire County Council's Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help Young People's Service (WPEH). It is made up of representatives from across the county.

Members are drawn from the 12 District Youth Councils, the Lancashire Children in Care Council, The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Youth Council, Young Carers Forum, and the Rainbow Generation which is a forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people.