Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Thursday 18th April 2019

There are no plans to make yoga and meditation mandatory in the national curriculum. Schools are free to deliver a diverse PE curriculum and pastoral activities to suit the needs of their pupils.

There are currently no plans to include yoga and meditation in the national curriculum. Indeed, we have committed to making no changes to the national curriculum during this Parliament, other than those already announced.

The existing PE curriculum is designed to ensure all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time and lead healthy and active lives.

Schools are free to organise and deliver a diverse and challenging PE curriculum that suits the needs of all of their pupils; pupils can participate in yoga through the PE curriculum. The curriculum does not set out a list of sports and activities that schools must or can offer. They are free to decide.

Schools have the freedom to provide activities which they consider best meet their pupils’ health and wellbeing. They are best placed to decide what is suitable to offer to their pupils.

To support such decisions the Department for Education is looking to generate more evidence on what works in school settings. DfE is funding randomised control trials to produce independent, robust evidence into the effectiveness of five different approaches, including mindfulness, relaxation, and strategies for safety and wellbeing. All the approaches are being tested for their effectiveness in helping young people understand and manage their own emotional wellbeing.

Department for Education