Schools: Gender Recognition

(asked on 12th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure school children are provided with age-appropriate (a) discussions and (b) materials on gender self-identification.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 19th December 2023

The Relationships and Sex and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

It is for schools to make decisions about the content they teach and the materials they use when teaching RSHE. However, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has been concerned to hear reports of inappropriate materials being used in schools and that contested topics are being taught as fact. This is why the department has brought forward the first review of the RSHE statutory guidance, including appointing an independent panel to provide expert advice on what is appropriate to be taught in RSHE and at what age. Details of the independent review panel are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/relationships-health-and-sex-education-independent-review.

In March 2023, the Secretary of State for Education wrote to schools to remind them that copyright law does not prevent them sharing external resources with parents. In October 2023, she wrote again to clarify that any contractual clause that prevents schools from sharing materials is void and unenforceable, and to provide practical advice on how to share materials with parents in a way that is in line with copyright legislation. The department will ensure that the updated guidance fully reflects this very clear position. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secretary-of-state-letter-to-schools-about-sharing-curriculum-resources-with-parents.

A draft of the amended guidance will be published for consultation, at the earliest opportunity, in the new year.

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