What do the new rules around sex education mean for your child?

Lizzie Harewood, CEO of the Association of Christian Teachers, explains the recent Government proposals on the teaching of RSHE to primary school pupils.

The draft RSHE* guidance from the Department for Education arrived this week, with Rishi Sunak saying it ensures the protection of children from exposure to “disturbing content.” The guidance advises against teaching gender identity and defers explicit discussions on sex until age 13. It underscores the importance of teaching biological facts and introduces age limits; prohibiting sex education for primary school children until Year 5, when they are aged 9 and over.

As head of the Association of Christian Teachers, I feel cautiously optimistic. This, alongside other recent developments signify a ‘sea change’ in the zeitgeist around issues of gender and sexuality. However, my optimism is tempered by the knowledge that this is probably only the beginning of a journey away from ideologies that have become embedded within our educational institutions.

For several years, Christian teachers have expressed unease about RSHE curriculum. Many feel sidelined when teaching content they view as biased against Christian beliefs. Growing concerns involve the promotion of political ideologies on identity and morality. Incidents like class trips to Pride marches, mandatory ‘Rainbow days’ and disciplinary actions against Christian teachers for issues of inclusivity are alarming.