Police commissioner in Wiltshire calls for compulsory sex education in schools

Angus Macpherson’s comments come after analysis by the British Humanist Association (BHA) found that SRE gets fewer mentions in Ofsted reports than any other subject.

They found SRE was specifically mentioned in less than one per cent of Ofsted inspection reports for 2015-16 and personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) was mentioned in only 14 per cent.

“With the rapid increase in school academies and free schools, many of our young children run the risk of being left in the dark about this vitally important aspect of education,” said Mr Macpherson.

“Freed of local authority influence, and in the absence of a national curriculum requirement for PSHE, heads and governors could decide, perhaps because of the religious nature of their school, that PSHE and SRE are not suitable subjects.

“That is why I, and my fellow PCCs, feel strongly that the government should make PSHE compulsory, with a mandatory SRE element, in all our schools.

“And that the delivery of such lessons should be taken into account within school assessments, alongside exam results.

“A recent report by MPs on the women and equalities committee spoke of “the shocking scale” of sexual harassment in schools.

“Then there is child sexual exploitation. We are all aware of the scandals in Rotherham and Oxford.

“Those young girls who were befriended, made to feel special, and then horribly abused, were victims who were preyed upon.

“Did they have the benefit of PSHE lessons? I somehow doubt it.”

The Department for Education said ministers were “actively considering what further steps we could take to improve the quality and accessibility of sex and relationships education”.

A spokesperson said: “High-quality education on sex and relationships is a vital part of preparing young people for success in adult life-helping them make informed choices, stay safe and learn to respect themselves and others.”