A CAMPAIGN to make personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education classes obligatory in schools will be discussed in Parliament next month.

The PSHE bill, tabled by Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, was due to be debated in October but was postponed until February.

The idea, to make the lessons a statutory requirement in state-funded schools, is backed by teaching and education unions, the End Violence Against Women campaign and the National Children’s Bureau.

Other groups, such as Mumsnet.com and Girlguiding UK, also strongly back compulsory and comprehensive sex education.

Ms Lucas said statutory status is key to ensuring teachers are given correct training to lead the lessons.

She said: “Lessons which help young people stay safe, healthy and happy and aid employability shouldn’t be an optional bolt on.

“They are critical, as is provision of proper support for the teachers leading them.

“The importance of ensuring every child has access to good quality education around sex, health and relationships – as well as teaching on everything from life-saving CPR to how to be responsible with money – can barely be understated.

“Policymakers must listen to teachers and benefit from their insight.”

Ms Lucas said she saw the benefits “shine” through where PSHE was taught well, such as in Patcham High School in Ladies Mile Road.

Headteacher Paula Sargent said: “We have transformed PSHE teaching over the last seven years.

“We have a dedicated team, significant time on the timetable, and the very toughest subjects are sensitively discussed with pupils helping them to be informed young adults.”

The PSHE Association said the delay in discussing the bill was disappointing but praised news that Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education, had told Ms Lucas the sessions were “exceptionally important”.

Joe Hayman, PSHE Association’s chief executive, said: “It is great news that the department for education has committed to taking concrete steps to improve PSHE education.

“Statutory status, backed up by intelligent inspection, is the only way to guarantee high-quality provision over the long term.

“This does not mean dictating a standardised curriculum to every school in the country, but simply ensuring that every PSHE lesson is taught by a teacher who has been trained in the subject, and given adequate curriculum time to meet pupils’ needs.”