0370 270 6000

Search

Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

Sign in with LinkedIn

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Register with LinkedIn

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Education home

Insights

Blogs

Sex education policies - a return to Section 28?

sex education policies - a return to Section 28?

20 August 2013

Following complaints by the British Humanist Association, the DfE are looking at the sex and relationship policies of a number of schools and academies which may contravene the Equality Act 2010 due to the potential for discrimination based on sexual orientation. The contents of the school policies named by the BHA suggest a return to the controversial 'section 28' provision which prohibited teaching that promoted homosexuality. This ban was repealed by Labour in 2003 in a move which had cross-party support. There is concern that a discriminatory approach to teaching in these areas may give rise to a further increase in homophobic bullying.

Whilst current government policy does not promote any form of sexual orientation and allows schools to develop their own policies to suit local circumstances, given the current concerns regarding all forms of bullying, new guidance would be welcomed to clarify the position of all schools on this issue in relation to the Equality Act 2010 and also sex and relationships policies.

related opinions

School uniform under media spotlight

The new academic year has started with controversy over school uniform. Last week, a government inquiry heard evidence that costs for parents are being exacerbated by compulsory branded uniform, including clothing with school logos, and operating contractual arrangements for the supply of these items with single retailers.

Education Secretary confirms DfE 'backing' for exclusions

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has confirmed that head teachers who take “the decision to either suspend or expel a pupil because they need to do it in order to be able to enforce proper and full discipline in their school, and making sure that they're protecting the whole interests of the school, will always have my backing".

Welcome news for sixth form colleges looking to academise

The Government has accepted calls from sixth form colleges to reopen the option to become academies.

RSE guidance issued - but do teachers feel ready?

In our previous blog we updated you on the new requirements to teach relationships, health and sex education (elements of which are phase specific) which will become mandatory in September 2020.

View all blogs

Richard Freeth

Partner

mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up