What are the rules on teaching about LGBT+ issues and relationships in schools?

The boss of Ofsted says pupils should be taught that some children have same-sex parents. Eleanor Busby takes a look at the current guidance

Ofsted’s chief inspector has thrown her support behind a teacher who has faced threats and protests from angry parents over LGBT+ lessons.

Andrew Moffat, who is in the running for a global prize, has been at the centre of a row with families at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham over his teachings about same-sex couples.

Amanda Spielman, head of Ofsted, has now said that all schools should teach pupils about same-sex relationships as children should know that there are families with “two mummies or two daddies”.

But some parents say that children are too young to be exposed to such teachings in primary school.

What is the guidance for schools in England on LGBT+ teachings?

The government’s current statutory guidance for sex and relationship education (SRE) for schools in England, which was issued in 2000, does not explicitly talk about how LGBT+ issues should be taught.

It highlights that SRE should teach about sexuality, but it adds that this is not about the promotion of sexual orientation or sexual activity which it says would be “inappropriate” teaching.

The guidance says that it is up to individual schools to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met to ensure young people, whatever their sexuality, feel that SRE classes are relevant to them.

However, it lacks any detail on how schools should tackle this and at what age.

It just says that teachers should deal “honestly and sensitively” with sexual orientation, answer appropriate questions and offer support. It adds that schools must deal with homophobic bullying.

What are the changes planned for new government guidance?

The government has consulted on new guidance for teaching relationships and sex education (RSE) in English schools – which includes teaching LGBT+ content – after calls from campaigners.

The draft advice includes plans to teach primary school pupils about different family structures and how to respect those differences.

Secondary school pupils would also be taught about the damage that stereotypes based on gender or sexual orientation can cause.

The proposed guidance recommends that LGBT+ content in school is “integral” throughout the programmes of study. However, it adds that teaching should still be “sensitive and age-appropriate”.

It suggests that sexual orientation and gender identity should be explored at a timely point in secondary school.

Pupils should be given an equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships. It should not be addressed separately or in only one lesson

The guidance, which has not yet been finalised, has been updated as all schools in England will be required to teach relationships education at primary and RSE at secondary from September 2020.

What is happening in Scotland and Wales?

In November last year, Scotland announced that it would become the first country in the world to embed the teaching of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights in the school curriculum.

State schools will be required to teach pupils about the history of LGBTI equalities and movements, tackle homophobia and transphobia and explore LGBTI identity.

In May, the Welsh government announced an overhaul of relationship and sex education in schools, with plans to place more emphasis on LGBT+ issues.