Youth Select Committee hears evidence for its inquiry looking into PSHE in secondary schools

Expert witnesses gave evidence in person to the Youth Parliament’s Youth Select Committee in Parliament. Their inquiry is looking into Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education in secondary schools. Over two days, the twelve-strong panel – aged between 14 and 19 – heard from eight expert individuals to better understand:
1/ Whether PSHE is taught consistently across schools and nations
2/ How teachers are supported in delivering sensitive topics
3/ The impact of knowledge gaps on adult outcomes
4/ How political education can be embedded to support democratic participation.

Penny Lamb – Votes for Schools
Matteo Bergamini MBE – Shout Out UK
Lucy Emmerson – Sex Education Forum
Matthew Hopkinson – Department for Education
Jenny Barksfield – PSHE Association
Darren Northcott – NASUWT
Sophie Smith – Valentines High School
Sophie King-Hill – University of Birmingham
John Reese – PSHE Solutions

Reaction:

“I spoke at the youth select committee, and it was a very professional experience. The young people were engaged, but also very well informed and briefed. The questions were broad across the topic PSHE, but my focus was primarily ‘medial literacy’ and they showed a keen interest in it, leaning on their lived experience.” Matteo Bergamini, CEO of ShoutOutUK.

“‘It was a great privilege to give evidence to the committee. The members proved to be accomplished, very well prepared and thorough in their questioning: digging down into what was important for them. I hope they have the insights they need from the process’ Penny Lamb, Head of VotesForSchools

 

The Committee are now using the findings as the foundations of their inquiry. The final report will be presented directly to UK Government.

Read the full terms of reference. (pdf, 53KB)
Bobby Forbes (North West), Chair of the Youth Select Committee, said: “It was an honour to be elected Chair of the Youth Select Committee – Select Committees are one of the most important ways Parliament can examine issues in detail and hold decision-makers to account. Our UK-wide inquiry into Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education (PSHE) will explore a critical subject that equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need for life.”  
In its call for written evidence – now closed – members of the 2025 Youth Select Committee highlighted how they were particularly interested in hearing from students, guardians, and people working in education about their experiences with PSHE; including how sensitive topics are approached, and how gaps in knowledge may affect outcomes later in life.
The Youth Select Committee gives young people the opportunity to scrutinise and hold inquiries into topics that matter to them. Previous committees have also called young peoples groups to give evidence, and been open to the public. However, this years committee didnt and was the first to meet in private, but the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit will publish a full recording on this link: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/education-programmes/youth-select-committee/
The Youth Select Committee model was originally introduced by the British Youth Council, in partnership with Parliament. It had a wider membership of youth councillors, young mayors, and BYC members, considered accessible transport, votes at 16 and curriculum for life. The first Youth Parliament Select Committee in 2024 investigated the relationship between youth violence and social media. All the reports and recommendations are responded to by the relevant Government departments, and the initiatives are supported by staff of the Parliamentary Outreach service, and previous sessions have been open to the public.

For more information, visit the Youth Select Committee website and the National Youth Agency website

WE WILL UPDATE THIS PAGE AS MORE INFORMATION IS SHARED.