‘We must teach respect early’: New £11m plan to tackle misogyny in schools announced

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has unveiled the funding boost as part of a wider strategy to halve violence against women and girls. The focus? Teaching respect and healthy relationships before problematic behaviour sets in.

“This isn’t just banter – it’s a warning sign”

In a powerful statement shared ahead of the government’s update to Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), Phillipson points to disturbing evidence that sexism and harmful attitudes are becoming “normalised” among teens – especially online.

Nearly half of secondary school teachers have witnessed pupils making misogynistic comments at least once a month or more. This isn’t happening in the shadows. It’s happening in our schools, in broad daylight.

And for many mums and dads, that tracks. We notice when our once-chatty child becomes withdrawn. We worry when their screen time spikes. And we’re left wondering what kind of world they’re navigating online – especially when the algorithms feel like a total mystery.

Phillipson acknowledges these concerns: “Parents know better. We see how online influencers peddle dangerous narratives about women. We worry when they spend hours consuming content you cannot monitor, or become isolated.”

Healthy relationships to be taught earlier – and with more support

From 2026, specialist organisations will begin working directly with schools to deliver healthy relationships training, alongside new RSHE guidance that better reflects the digital world kids are growing up in.

That includes practical support for teachers to tackle issues like:

• Spotting the early signs of coercive or controlling behaviour
• Addressing harmful “banter” and normalised sexism
• Navigating emerging risks like AI, deepfakes and online grooming
• Signposting where pupils can get support – from counsellors to the NSPCC

Phillipson says the investment is about empowering schools to meet the real needs of young people today – not just handing teachers a tick-box list to follow. “This is about giving teachers the tools they tell us they need,” she explains.

“We need to act before another teen suffers in silence”

One of the most powerful parts of Phillipson’s message is the real-life story of Kaceylee, who found herself trapped in an abusive relationship at just 17. She faced violence, coercive control and isolation – and felt completely alone.

“She’d never heard anyone her age talk about teenage relationship abuse,” says Phillipson. “Her story is not unique.”

The new RSHE curriculum is designed to change that – giving teens the language to recognise abuse, know it’s not their fault, and seek help early. “This education could make the difference,” she says.

But isn’t this a parent’s job?

Some will argue that teaching kids about healthy relationships should be left to parents. But the government is clear: this is a whole-community issue. “The online world moves too fast, the influences are too pervasive, and the consequences too serious for any of us to tackle alone,” says Phillipson.

And that’s something many mums and dads may feel deep in their bones – because even with open conversations and strong values at home, we’re still up against a digital universe that sometimes seems designed to shut us out.

Phillipson’s call to action is simple but urgent: “If we want to protect the next generation from violence against women and girls, we cannot simply respond to harm. We must act before thoughts take hold, before behaviours become entrenched, before another young person like Kaceylee suffers in silence.”

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