§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what advice he proposes to give to schools on the role of personal, social and health education in relation to the national curriculum;
(2) what definition of personal, social and health education his Department uses for the purpose of advising schools.
§ Mrs. RumboldPersonal and social education covers a range of areas of the curriculum, including health, careers, political and environmental education, and economic awareness. Elements of it will be included in what children learn through the national curriculum as cross-curricular themes in science and elsewhere. We acknowledge the valuable part which the provision of personal and social education can play in preparing young people for adult life.