Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Organisation: Submission on behalf of several organisations and individuals
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
No
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
We are writing with regards to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill to request that menstrual wellbeing is made a compulsory component of the new curriculum, specifically within the Health & Wellbeing area of Learning and Experience.
At present, the curriculum offers schools and teachers the flexibility to decide whether or not to teach menstrual wellbeing. This has the potential to see the topic overlooked, leaving young people without the information they need to know what a normal menstrual cycle is, and when to seek medical help.
Menstrual health conditions affect a significant proportion of girls, women and those assigned female at birth across the UK, such as heavy menstrual bleeding (20%), fibroids (20%), endometriosis (10%), polycystic ovary syndrome (10%), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (5%).
Despite these large numbers, many do not realise they have a medical condition that can be treated: for example, 50% of women with heavy menstrual bleeding do not appreciate that it is a medical condition, and diagnosis can take many years. The average time to diagnose endometriosis in Wales is 8.5 years, meaning many young people will suffer in silence for the majority of their school life, resulting in frequent absences from school and missed exams. The potentially devastating impact menstrual health conditions like endometriosis can have on someone’s education, future career, and their physical and mental health cannot be overstated.
A study by Plan International found that one in seven girls (14%) didn’t know what was happening when they started their period, whilst more than a quarter (26%) didn’t know what to do. The same study also found that 48% of girls in the UK feel embarrassed by their period, and 49% of girls in the UK have missed school because of their period.
To overcome taboos and reduce health inequalities in Wales, all young people need access to reliable, accurate information about menstrual wellbeing. This is so that the topic can be openly and unashamedly discussed, myths debunked, and individuals sufficiently empowered with the knowledge they need to seek medical advice when appropriate.
We believe this work is vital in schools as it cannot be assumed that young people feel comfortable and confident discussing menstruation and related issues with a parent, carer, or vice versa. Many face additional cultural barriers to talking about menstrual wellbeing in the home, especially those from minority communities. Additionally, those in non-traditional family units, care, or boarding school are all examples of pupils who may not necessarily have ability to discuss the topic at home.
It is clear that the Welsh Government wishes to equip pupils with the knowledge to ‘overcome barriers to learning and achieve full potential’ . This includes giving students the information they need to recognise indicators of mental or physical problems, the ability to communicate these, and the means to seek support. We believe that to follow through on these intentions, menstrual wellbeing needs to be mandatory within the curriculum.
The Welsh Government has already recognised the vital importance of compulsory menstrual wellbeing education. A report, Endometriosis Care in Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2018 and supported by the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Services, Vaughan Gething, concluded that menstrual wellbeing education should be compulsory in Wales. We therefore ask that the Welsh Government does not go back on this commitment and request that the draft Curriculum is amended accordingly.
Compulsory menstrual wellbeing will be on the school curriculum in England from September 2020; failing to follow suit will leave children in Wales unfairly behind those in England.
We request two very simple amendments to the new Wales school curriculum’s Health and Wellbeing Area of Learning and Experience as follows:
• Pupils should understand the concept of menstrual wellbeing, including the key facts about the menstrual cycle. As part of this, pupils will understand what constitutes as a ‘normal menstrual cycle’ and how to spot the warning signs of a menstrual condition.
• Pupils will be given the knowledge, confidence, and skills to seek help if they are concerned they have a menstrual health condition.
We ask that you acknowledge the huge impact menstrual health conditions have on a young person’s education and future career and ensure that menstrual wellbeing education in Wales’s schools is mandatory for all pupils.
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
-
6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
We are writing with regards to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill to request that menstrual wellbeing is made a compulsory component of the new curriculum, specifically within the Health & Wellbeing area of Learning and Experience.
At present, the curriculum offers schools and teachers the flexibility to decide whether or not to teach menstrual wellbeing. This has the potential to see the topic overlooked, leaving young people without the information they need to know what a normal menstrual cycle is, and when to seek medical help.
Menstrual health conditions affect a significant proportion of girls, women and those assigned female at birth across the UK, such as heavy menstrual bleeding (20%), fibroids (20%), endometriosis (10%), polycystic ovary syndrome (10%), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (5%).
Despite these large numbers, many do not realise they have a medical condition that can be treated: for example, 50% of women with heavy menstrual bleeding do not appreciate that it is a medical condition, and diagnosis can take many years. The average time to diagnose endometriosis in Wales is 8.5 years, meaning many young people will suffer in silence for the majority of their school life, resulting in frequent absences from school and missed exams. The potentially devastating impact menstrual health conditions like endometriosis can have on someone’s education, future career, and their physical and mental health cannot be overstated.
A study by Plan International found that one in seven girls (14%) didn’t know what was happening when they started their period, whilst more than a quarter (26%) didn’t know what to do. The same study also found that 48% of girls in the UK feel embarrassed by their period, and 49% of girls in the UK have missed school because of their period.
To overcome taboos and reduce health inequalities in Wales, all young people need access to reliable, accurate information about menstrual wellbeing. This is so that the topic can be openly and unashamedly discussed, myths debunked, and individuals sufficiently empowered with the knowledge they need to seek medical advice when appropriate.
We believe this work is vital in schools as it cannot be assumed that young people feel comfortable and confident discussing menstruation and related issues with a parent, carer, or vice versa. Many face additional cultural barriers to talking about menstrual wellbeing in the home, especially those from minority communities. Additionally, those in non-traditional family units, care, or boarding school are all examples of pupils who may not necessarily have ability to discuss the topic at home.
It is clear that the Welsh Government wishes to equip pupils with the knowledge to ‘overcome barriers to learning and achieve full potential’ . This includes giving students the information they need to recognise indicators of mental or physical problems, the ability to communicate these, and the means to seek support. We believe that to follow through on these intentions, menstrual wellbeing needs to be mandatory within the curriculum.
The Welsh Government has already recognised the vital importance of compulsory menstrual wellbeing education. A report, Endometriosis Care in Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2018 and supported by the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Services, Vaughan Gething, concluded that menstrual wellbeing education should be compulsory in Wales. We therefore ask that the Welsh Government does not go back on this commitment and request that the draft Curriculum is amended accordingly.
Compulsory menstrual wellbeing will be on the school curriculum in England from September 2020; failing to follow suit will leave children in Wales unfairly behind those in England.
We request two very simple amendments to the new Wales school curriculum’s Health and Wellbeing Area of Learning and Experience as follows:
• Pupils should understand the concept of menstrual wellbeing, including the key facts about the menstrual cycle. As part of this, pupils will understand what constitutes as a ‘normal menstrual cycle’ and how to spot the warning signs of a menstrual condition.
• Pupils will be given the knowledge, confidence, and skills to seek help if they are concerned they have a menstrual health condition.
We ask that you acknowledge the huge impact menstrual health conditions have on a young person’s education and future career and ensure that menstrual wellbeing education in Wales’s schools is mandatory for all pupils.
Submission on behalf of several organisations and individuals: Submitted on behalf of several organinsations including Endometriosis UK, FTWW, the Royal College of GPs Wales, Plan International UK, GIG Cymru NHS Wales, the BSGE, Fertility Network UK, Race Alliance Wales, Sexpression UK, Hawarden High School, TOTM, Chwarae Teg, Disability Wales, Unique Transgender Network, Menopause Support, Diverse Cymru, British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Brooke, Verity, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists', the Women's Institute, Vicious Cycle, The Eve Appeal, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, Jenny Rathbone MS, Chair, Women's Health Cross Party Group, Dr C Helen Munro, Consultant in Sexual Health at Hywel Dda UHB and member of the CPG Women's Health, Dr Amanda Davies, Consultant in Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health at Swansea Bay UHB, Heledd Fychan, Councillor Town Ward Pontypridd RCT