To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2019 to Question 214530, whether the guidance for the new subjects of Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education will refer to same-sex parents; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
1 March 2019
The new subjects of relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education are aimed at supporting all young people to be happy, healthy and safe and to equip them for adult life in modern Britain.
The guidance is clear that all pupils will be taught to respect and value difference and that schools should ensure that their teaching is inclusive of the needs of all pupils, whatever their developing sexuality or identity. All schools must comply with the Equality Act.
The guidance makes clear that teaching lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) content is expected in secondary schools. Primary schools are encouraged and enabled to cover LGBT content if they consider it age appropriate to do so. This would be done through teaching about different types of family, including those with same sex parents.