Enough Andrew Tate in schools: Government rolls out plan to tackle misogyny in classrooms

Schools will receive new resources and training to help tackle misogyny, support healthy relationships and challenge harmful online influences.

Boy shouting behind girl in class room

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Published: October 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM

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Schools across England are set to receive new practical support to help tackle misogyny and harmful attitudes among children and young people.

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The Department for Education says the new whole-school approach will include practical guidance, teacher training and support for parents, with the aim of creating a culture of respect and belonging both in and outside the classroom.

The announcement comes as new data shows that 50% of girls reported hearing misogynistic comments from other pupils during a week at school in May. Nearly a third (30%) of Year 10 and 11 pupils also said they had recently heard comments that made them worry about the safety of girls.

What will the new school approach involve?

The new framework is designed to help schools address misogyny through teaching, enrichment activities, pastoral support and interactions beyond the school gates.

The Government says the approach will help children and young people build healthy relationships, recognise harmful behaviour and develop the skills needed to navigate both online and offline life.

It will also build on the strengthened Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum now being taught in schools, which includes teaching about healthy relationships, harmful behaviour, online risks, deepfakes and other harmful content.

Teachers to receive more support

The Government is investing £150,000 in a new RSHE expert advisory group, bringing together organisations and practitioners to develop resources for teachers covering sensitive and complex subjects.

Two new programmes have also started through the Government's £16 million Violence Against Women and Girls Prevention Programme.

One will work with secondary school pupils to improve attitudes towards healthy relationships, while another will work with boys to challenge harmful attitudes and negative online influences.

The programmes will initially be run as pilots to assess which approaches are most effective before potentially being introduced in more schools.

Helping children navigate harmful online content

The plans also recognise the influence of content children encounter online, including material linked to figures such as Andrew Tate.

Future curriculum reforms are expected to strengthen media literacy teaching, helping young people understand online content, recognise manipulation and think more critically about what they see.

The Government is also working with the Youth Endowment Fund, which is running programmes for children aged 12 to 16 focused on promoting respect, building resilience and providing positive role models.

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For parents, the changes are part of a wider push to help children develop healthier attitudes and relationships, while giving schools more practical tools to respond when harmful behaviour emerges.

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