FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will parents be able to withdraw their children from lessons about LGBT people and relationships?
Parents cannot withdraw their children from Relationships Education. However, they do have the right to withdraw their children from some or all of Sex Education (if the school has opted to teach this).
is Relationships education compulsary for private schools?
Yes – the guidance applies to all schools in England.
Are faith schools exempt from teaching Relationships education?
No - The guidance applies to all schools in England. However, the religious background of all pupils must be taken into account so that the topics covered are appropriately handled. Schools must ensure they comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010, under which religion or belief are protected characteristics.
How can faith schools embed this new guidance?
Many schools who are already doing LGBTQ+ inclusive teaching, along with tackling and preventing homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, are faith and church schools. The Public Sector Equality Duty requires all schools to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between people. All schools have a duty to make sure that their students are not discriminated against, either because of their faith and/or because they are LGBTQ+.
In the cases of the recent protests, we’ve seen some opposition from a small number of faith groups who believe that this curriculum goes against their beliefs. Many people of faith are also LGBTQ+ and do not feel that the two are in opposition. It is important to ensure that children and parents who are LGBTQ+ and belong to a faith are always protected- as these people are particularly vulnerable.
is Relationships education mandatory for children with send?
Relationships Education must be accessible for all pupils. Content and teaching methods may need to be adapted to meet the specific needs of pupils in special schools and for some SEND pupils in mainstream schools.
do schools have to deliver sex education?
Sex education is not statutory at primary school.
Many primary schools choose to teach sex education, tailored to the age and physical and emotional maturity of their pupils. Schools should discuss with the content with parents, demonstrating what they propose to teach, and how. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons.
do schools have to engage with parents before teaching begins?
Schools will be required to consult with parents when developing and reviewing their policies for Relationships Education, which will inform schools’ decisions on when and how certain content is covered. Schools should ensure that, when they engage parents, they provide examples of the resources they plan to use – for example, the books they will use in lessons.
do schools have to publish their policies for this online?
Yes - school’s policies for Relationships Education must be published online, and must be available to any individual free of charge.
What is ‘age-appropriate’ teaching?
The guidance mentions that teaching Relationships Education should be delivered in an ‘age-appropriate’ way. There is no description of what is meant by this but we belive that it is vital for children to learn that LGBTQ+ people and families exist and they should be accepted and celebrated like everybody else. Research shows that anti-LGBTQ+ bullying is still prevalent in primary schools, so it is vital that children are encouraged to develop inclusive attitudes from a young age.
Who is responsible for teaching materials?
Schools should assess each resource that they propose to use. They should ensure that it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils and sensitive to their needs. Schools should also ensure that, when they consult with parents, they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use; this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home.
Will there be any more changes to Relationships EDUCATION?
The guidance is set to be reviewed in 2022. It is hoped that the guidance is strengthened after this review. In the meantime, LGBTQ+ organisations are campaigning for more funding to help schools implement the new guidance.
We hope that the LGBTQ+ Primary Hub will help to equip teachers across the UK with the knowledge and confidence to provide effective LGBTQ+ inclusive education.