Rejected petition: Protect our children: Mandatory Grooming Education in all secondary schools
Rejected on
Grooming education in all UK secondary schools empowers students to recognise, manipulation, set boundaries, and seek help early. We want more set grooming awareness lessons that are explicit, precise and age appropriate across all secondary year group so knowledge builds as students mature.
In 2022/23, UK police recorded over 3,500 online grooming crimes with 70% of victims aged 12-15 (NSPCC). Studies show 1 in 6 children aged 11-17 have experienced unwanted sexual contact. Without structured lessons, many miss vital warning signs. Embedding grooming education in every secondary school equips students with the awareness and confidence to recognise risks, report concerns and protect themselves and peers. By adding these lessons, children are protected online and offline.
Why was this petition rejected?
We can't publish petitions when the request is something that's already happening or something that has been announced since you started your petition.
We think your petition is covered by Government or Parliament action already. If you'd like something else, you could start a new petition clearly explaining what it is.
Secondary school curriculum content already includes the following:
"The concepts and laws relating to harms which are exploitative, including sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and abuse, grooming, and financial exploitation."
"The risks and signs that they may be at risk of grooming or exploitation, and how to seek help where there is a concern."
You can read the full Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education statutory guidance here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6970e7e67e827090d02d42e0/Relationships_education_relationships_and_sex_education__RSE__and_health_education__for_intro_1_September_2026_.pdf
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.