The Government's recent announcement on tackling misogyny in schools will not come as a surprise to many teachers. It is, however, likely to be widely welcomed. 

For many years now, schools have been expected to manage the effects of harmful online content, social media trends, and influential online personalities on their students, while continuing to keep them engaged in their education.  

This announcement recognises that these issues can't be addressed only after an incident occurs; they must also be tackled through proactive education that helps young people to develop the knowledge, values and critical thinking skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. 

Why prevention matters 

Like many forms of prevention, education is most effective before harm occurs. The same principle applies to education that helps prevent harmful attitudes from taking hold. Many students may not be influenced by harmful online content; however, proactive education helps support those who are most at risk. 

Importantly, tackling misogyny is not about focusing solely on individual incidents or behaviours. It’s about helping young people to develop the skills to understand and challenge the messages they encounter in their everyday lives.

With social media now a significant source of information and influence for many young people, students need opportunities to discuss complex topics, question what they see online and build resilience to harmful narratives. 

Schools are uniquely placed to support this. They provide a structured environment where difficult conversations can take place safely, guided by trusted adults. By creating space for discussion and reflection, education can help prevent harmful attitudes from becoming entrenched and promote a culture of respect and inclusion instead. 

What the evidence tells us 

The Education Secretary’s press release cited findings showing that half of all girls had reported hearing misogynistic comments from other pupils during a single week in school. Almost 30% of Year 10 and Year 11 students had also reported hearing comments that made them worry for the safety of girls. 

Other research paints a very similar picture. Ofsted's 2021 report on sexual abuse in schools and colleges found that many students viewed sexist language as so common that it had become “normalised”.  

According to the report, 92% of girls and 74% of boys reported experiencing sexist name-calling. These findings were based on visits to 32 schools and colleges in England and surveys of more than 800 students aged 13 and above. 

While statistics alone cannot tell the whole story, they do highlight the scale of the challenge facing schools. They also reinforce the need for approaches that go beyond reacting to incidents and instead focus on building understanding, empathy and respect from an early age. 

The role of Relationships, Sex and Health Education 

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) has a distinctive role within the curriculum. We’re not telling students what to think; instead, we’re giving them the tools to think critically for themselves.  

RSHE supports students to recognise unhealthy behaviour, challenge harmful assumptions, and to develop empathy and compassion. It also helps them to understand what healthy and respectful relationships, encouraging them to reflect on how their actions affect others. 

The subject is also increasingly important in helping young people navigate the realities of modern life. Discussions around consent, respect, online influence, stereotypes and healthy relationships can help students to identify harmful behaviours and give them the confidence to challenge them when they occur. 

At its best, RSHE creates opportunities for open, age-appropriate conversations about topics that can otherwise be difficult to discuss. It equips young people with knowledge and understanding that can support their wellbeing not only during their time at school but throughout their lives. 

To support schools with delivery, we offer RSHE qualifications that cover the mandatory content set out by the Department for Education (DfE). Free workbooks break the content into five units across five years and provide a structured framework for delivery.  

These resources have recently been redeveloped to align with updated RSHE guidance that comes into effect in September 2026. 

Want to learn more about how RSHE can help foster respectful relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and support pupil wellbeing? Explore NCFE's RSHE qualifications and discover how they can support effective delivery in your school.