New report highlights PSHE's key role in preparing students for university and beyond

Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI, an independent think tank devoted to higher education) has just released a report into whether the school and college curriculum prepares students for higher education and university — not just academically, but in preparing them for challenges and opportunities relating to relationships, financial matters and career.

It contains much of interest to PSHE education, including further evidence that statutory RSHE is having a positive impact on RSE provision and strong support among students for compulsory PSHE to 18, as well as better education on financial matters and careers.

HEPI have presented the report as a response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and their findings align in many ways with our submission to the Review consultation.

It's findings include polling by Savanta of 1,105 university students, showing: 

• Nearly half of students (47%) feel well prepared for sex and relationships in higher education, compared with just 27% who felt well prepared in 2021. Just over a quarter (28%) do not feel well prepared. This is further evidence that statutory changes, and current RSHE guidance, are making a positive difference.
• Nearly three-fifths of students (59%) want more education on finances and budgeting, and 44% want more education on career pathways. Half (51%) wish they had had the opportunity to ‘learn more life skills’.
• The majority of students (58%) want PSHE to be compulsory to 18. About a third (36%) say it should not be compulsory.

Read the the full HEPI report and survey findings.