Schools won't be allowed to teach children that they can change their gender ID, reports say
Schools will also be told not to teach children any form of sex education until the age of nine.
Wednesday 15 May 2024 07:22, UK
Teachers in English schools will not be allowed to teach children that they can change their gender identity, according to reports.
Age limits are also set to be imposed for the first time on when children can be taught sex education.
The Times reports that education ministers will warn schools in England today that gender identity is "highly contested" and that teaching the issue could have "damaging implications".
If asked, school staff should teach the "biological facts" about sex, the government will say, The Times adds.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has become concerned gender identity is becoming "embedded" in schools as an uncontested fact, the newspaper says.
Under other proposals, schools will be told not to teach children any form of sex education until year 5, when pupils are aged nine.
The plans will also rule out any explicit conversations about sex until the age of 13, The Times report also says.
Thirteen would also be the age threshold for pupils to be taught about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and abortion.
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The new guidance is reportedly part of the government's response to concerns children are receiving age-inappropriate relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).
Schools will reportedly be required to provide parents with samples of the material their children will be taught.
RSHE became compulsory in all English schools in September 2020.
The existing guidance outlines broad lesson modules, stating primary school children should be taught about alternative types of families and healthy relationships.
Secondary-school-aged children are taught more complex topics, including puberty, sexual relationships, consent, unsafe relationships, and online harms.
The Department for Education said it could not confirm the newspaper reports, and that it would not speculate on leaks.