LGBTI campaigners are welcoming the announcement, but with caution. Does it go far enough?
All schools in England will now have to teach mandatory relationships and sex education lessons – and for the first time, they will include LGBT relationships.
It is the first change to sex education in any part of the UK in 18 years.
Speaking today in Parliament, Damien Hinds the Education Secretary says the new lessons which will start at primary school will be age appropriate:
‘This includes LGBT content as a strong feature at age appropriate points. It sets out core content but allows flexibility for schools own pupils.’
However, the Department of Education has confirmed to Gay Star News that the LGBT education will be ‘mandatory’ – with no opt-out for faith schools.
This is a huge win for LGBTI campaigners fighting for LGBTI inclusive relationships and sex education in England.
THT and National Student Pride sent Valentines day cards to MPs when campaigning for the change to sex ed | Photo: National Student Pride
Campaigners welcome news, with caution
National Student Pride student chair Hatti Smart tells us:
‘It is amazing news to hear that all schools in England will now be teaching LGBT inclusive sex and relationships education – with no opt-out.’
The Terrance Higgins Trust who has been campaigning for better sex education for over 30 years also welcome the news. However, they warn that we now need to see this in action:
‘This update is long overdue. It comes at a time when, on average, one 15-24 year old gets a HIV diagnosis every day in the UK. Young people also account for the largest proportion of new STI diagnoses,’ Ian Green, chief executive at Terrence Higgins Trust says.
‘There’s still work to do to ensure RSE is fit for purpose and adopted by all schools. This needs to include independent and faith schools – we will hold the Government to account on this.
‘The Government has missed its original target of September 2019 for compulsory RSE lessons in England, with a 12-month delay. We are unequivocal that this timeline must not slip any further.’
The theme at National Student Pride in 2017 was sex and relationships education | Photo: National Student Pride
What will happen in the new classes?
The current guidance has not seen an update since 2000. It has gone through a significant re-write to include same-sex relationships, gender identity, mental health, consent and being safe online.
The classes will be age appropriate, meaning that young children at primary school age will only be taught about relationships and friendships. Primary school lessons will discuss the structure of families and the types of relationships they may encounter.
At secondary schools, teenagers will have lessons on the facts about ‘the law, sex, sexuality, sexual health and gender identity.’ With the guidance making clear that:
‘Sexual orientation and gender identity should be explored at a timely point in a clear, sensitive and respectful manner.
‘When teaching about these topics, it must be recognized that young people may be discovering or coming to terms with their sexual orientation or gender identity. There should be an equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships.
Though it says schools are free to determine how they address LGBT specific content, the Department of Education says it is: ‘integral throughout the programmes of study.’
Students with ‘better sex ed’ Valentine’s day cards they sent to their MPs | Photo: National Student Pride
Does the guidance go far enough for schools opposed to teaching LGBTI inclusive lessons?
But THT’s Liam Beattie tells GSN the charity will be monitoring the way schools will be delivering these lessons:
‘We will be responding to the Department for Education consultation starting in November reinforcing the existing equalities legislation that exists.
‘As well as the need to uphold the right of every young person to access information that can improve their health and wellbeing.’
Beattie wants the Government to make sure the guidance shows no need to incorporate moral perspectives in relationships and sex education.
What was your sex ed like?
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In 2017, National Student Pride and the Terrance Higgins trust teamed up to campaign for this exact change. Together they sent 400 Valentines Day cards to MPs calling for the change.
Just weeks later the then education secretary Justine Greening announced she would introduce compulsory sex education.
Jack Burrows is a Uni of Brighton graduate and co-chair of National Student Pride. Burrows tells Gay Star News, just how terrible his sex ed was:
‘All I can remember doing is having to put bananas on condoms.
‘We’ve all seen the picture books when we were younger, of the bee and the flower. It would be great to see young people having an LGBTI version of this.
‘It’s important because young people are coming out younger and younger.’
Read more from Gay Star Students:
Bisexual student: Sex ed classes left me believing lesbian sex wasn’t ‘real’
Why I, as a gay man, was let down by my sex education at school
