Recommendation 3

The Department for Education must urgently review the quality and timeliness of education on girls’ health and physiology, including the effects of puberty, the menstrual cycle, and periods in the context of PE and school sport. Whether part of PE or PSHE, or ideally both, this education needs to be delivered more effectively and much earlier. Teachers need to be better trained to deliver it, including around how to have effective conversations with girls and support them during this significant life stage. Education on reproductive health is a positive, not a barrier to overcome. Our recommendations reflect what girls are asking for and are straightforward to implement. The DfE must make clear to all schools that not delivering education on the menstrual cycle is unacceptable and set out in response to this Report the steps it will take to ensure 100% compliance with the current requirements, with a clear timeframe to achieve this. We further recommend the DfE supports pilots of new approaches, such as the enhanced, four-week lesson plan being developed by Swansea University, and commits to rolling out an improved offer across all primary and secondary schools within the next 12 months.