As of September 2020, it is a legal requirement for all UK primary schools to deliver Relationships Education.

The new guidelines mean that all children will be taught the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and adults. They will also be taught about what safe and healthy relationships look like and how to have them.

What was the need for a new Relationships education curriculum?

The guidance that was being used prior this was last updated in 2000, which was before the repeal of Section 28 (the law which banned discussions of same-sex relationships in schools). The 2000 guidance excluded LGBTQ+ people and families from the curriculum.

What does the guidance say about LGBTQ+?

The DfE guidance simply states that:

“Teaching about families requires sensitive and well-judged teaching based on knowledge of pupils and their circumstances. Families of many forms provide a nurturing environment for children. (Families can include for example, single parent families, LGBT parents, families headed by grandparents, adoptive parents, foster parents and carers amongst other structures.) Care needs to be taken to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of children based on their home circumstances and needs, to reflect sensitively that some children may have a different structure of support around them; for example, looked after children or young carers.”

Schools will be able to decide how they teach Relationships Education, with the guidance simply setting out the key content that pupils should be taught. We believe that the guidance is too vague, leaving teachers unsure about what they should be focusing on.

What does the LGBTQ+ Primary Hub believe should be taught in primary schools?

We believe that children deserve to learn about a world which reflects the one they are living in. A growing number of children are identifying as LGBTQ+ and many more have LGBTQ+ parents, friends, or family members. We encourage teachers to adopt a whole-school approach to LGBTQ+ inclusivity so that children feel represented and respected, just like everybody else.

We also believe that implementing a whole-school approach will reduce the incidents of HBT-bullying, discriminatory behaviours and attitudes, and help to produce a generation of people who are understanding and accepting of diversity. The DfE guidance should be used as a starting point, but we encourage you to go beyond the statutory requirements to really make a difference.

We know that in order to deliver high-quality LGBTQ+ inclusive education teachers need a solid understanding of the content, and that’s why the LGBTQ+ Primary Hub was created. We want to enhance teachers’ knowledge and understanding so that they can help shape children’s lives for the better.