Schools to be given online resources to assist with rollout of new mandatory curriculum

The government is to construct a website offering training for schools that will, from next year, be required to offer teaching in sex, health, and relationships.

New regulations brought in this year stipulate that, from September 2020, all primary schools in England must provide relationships education. Secondary schools are required to offer relationships and sex education, while all schools other than independent schools need to provide pupils with health education.

To ensure schools are ready for the new mandatory curriculum, the Department for Education is to create a digital platform offering training and support materials. 

Related content

• Government launches digital times tables tool for primary schools
• DfE looks to improve use of social media
• ‘Designating services as digital is increasingly a hindrance’ – DfE’s Emma Stace on working across organisational boundaries

The DfE is seeking an external provider that can assist in the development of this platform. A contract notice has been published looking for a supplier to work with the department on a seven-month programme of work with a budget of up to £400,000.

The government is looking to create a site that makes it easy for teachers and school management to find the right support materials.

The chosen firm will be expected to work with the DfE’s digital communications team “to structure content in way to meet users’ needs”. The discovery phase of the project has been completed, and a prototype alpha site has been built. 

The goal is to deliver a beta service – “that meets GDS requirements and is compliant with all relevant legislative requirements” – by April 2020.

The successful bidder will need to supply a “multi-disciplinary team” to work alongside an existing group comprised of DfE policymakers, content designers, and subject experts in the field of relationships, health, and sex education. Work will primarily take place at the department’s London headquarters.

Bids for the project are open until 28 October, ahead of a scheduled contract start date of Monday 2 December.