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Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Attitudes towards women and girls in educational settings

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Jun 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 8 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

An inquiry to scrutinise how attitudes in educational settings, from early years to university, affect women and girls throughout their lives, drawing on an existing body of evidence including academic papers, reports and submissions to other Select Committee inquiries, including our predecessor Committee. This inquiry is part of the committee’s work into Preventing Violence Against … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Attitudes towards women and girls in educati… HC 331 5 Jul 2023 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
6 Recommendation Fifth Report - Attitudes towards women … Acknowledged

Extend compulsory Relationships, Sex and Health Education to post-16 educational settings.

A lack of compulsory RSHE for young people until they are 18 leaves young people making their first steps in the adult world under-supported and less equipped to navigate potentially harmful and dangerous situations and keep themselves safe and healthy in relationships. We recommend that compulsory RSHE is extended to … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it is currently considering the recommendation to extend compulsory RSHE to young people in post-16 educational settings.
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Government Equalities Office
8 Recommendation Fifth Report - Attitudes towards women … Acknowledged

Develop specific strategy to engage boys on sexual harassment in schools, laying before Parliament.

Engagement with boys and young men is crucial for tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence in educational settings. As part of the review of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), the Department for Education and the Government Equalities Office should work together to develop a specific strategy for engaging with … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states a review of RSHE statutory guidance is underway, which will include expert input and public consultation. Following its publication, the Department will update teacher training modules and assess further support needed, but does not commit to a specific strategy by the requested …
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Government Equalities Office
12 Conclusion Fifth Report - Attitudes towards women … Acknowledged

Develop nationwide sexual harassment and violence awareness campaign targeting male university students.

The Department for Education should develop a nationwide sexual harassment and sexual violence awareness campaign that particularly targets male university students.

Government response AI summary
The government refers to the Home Office's 2023 'ENOUGH' campaign and states the Department for Education is building on this, working with sector bodies to share good practice rather than committing to a new, separate nationwide campaign targeting male university students.
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Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
12 Oct 2022 Andrea Jenkyns MP · Department for Education, Andrew Cook · Ofsted, Emma Davies · Department for Education, Kate Dixon · Department for Education, Kelly Tolhurst MP · Department for Education, Susan Lapworth · Office for Students, Yvette Stanley · Ofsted View ↗
21 Sep 2022 Session View ↗
7 Sep 2022 Ammaarah Faisal · Our Streets Now, Dr Melanie McCarry · University of Strathclyde, Dr Rachel Fenton · University of Exeter Law School, John Edmonds, Professor Cara Aitchison, Richie Benson · Beyond Equality View ↗
20 Jul 2022 Ammaarah Faisal · Our Streets Now, Dr Anni Donaldson · University of Strathclyde, Dr Rachel Fenton · University of Exeter Law School, John Edmonds, Professor Steve West · Universities UK, Richie Benson · Beyond Equality View ↗
28 Jun 2022 Dr Yuwei XU · University of Nottingham, UK, Jenny Barksfield · PSHE Association, Keziah Featherstone · Q3 Academy Tipton, Professor Nicky Stanley · University of Central Lancashire, Soma Sara · Everyone's Invited, Susie McDonald · Tender Arts & Education View ↗

Who gave evidence

21 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Ammaarah Faisal · Student Ambassador and Head of Research for Highe… Our Streets Now 2
Dr Rachel Fenton · Associate Professor University of Exeter Law School 2
John Edmonds — 2
Richie Benson · Universities Project Lead Beyond Equality 2
Andrea Jenkyns MP · Minister for Skills Department for Education 1
Andrew Cook · Her Majesty's Inspector and Regional Director for… Ofsted 1
Dr Anni Donaldson · Honorary Research Fellow University of Strathclyde 1
Dr Melanie McCarry · Senior Lecturer of School of Social Work & Social… University of Strathclyde 1
Dr Yuwei XU · Assistant Professor in Education and Teacher Deve… University of Nottingham, UK 1
Emma Davies · Deputy Director in the Higher Education Quality, … Department for Education 1
Jenny Barksfield · Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Education PSHE Association 1
Kate Dixon · Director of Pupil Wellbeing and Safety Department for Education 1
Kelly Tolhurst MP · Minister for Schools and Childhood Department for Education 1
Keziah Featherstone · Headteacher Q3 Academy Tipton 1
Professor Cara Aitchison — 1
Professor Nicky Stanley · Professor of Social Work University of Central Lancashire 1
Professor Steve West · Professor Universities UK 1
Soma Sara · Founder and CEO Everyone's Invited 1
Susan Lapworth · Chief Executive Office for Students 1
Susie McDonald · Chief Executive Tender Arts & Education 1
Yvette Stanley · National Director for Regulation and Social Care Ofsted 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
22 Mar 2023 To cttee Letter from the Office for Students relating to the attitudes towards women and…