Schools to be banned from teaching about gender identity to children under 13

Children would not learn about 'sexual acts' until they are teenagers under the new sex education plan.

A controversial government proposal to ban sex education for children under the age of 13 has been revealed.

The new age limit is set to ban teaching children about ‘explicit’ topics, including changing their gender until they are 13, The Times reports.

Currently, children can be taught about sex and sexual health, including contraception, when they start secondary school at the age of 11.

Schools could also be limited on discussions the government considers ‘explicit,’ such as contraception and changing their gender identity.

It means children would not be taught about contraception, STIs and abortion until the age of 13.

Discussions of sexual acts would be delayed until year 9, meaning some children might not learn about abortion or STIs until they are 13 or 14.

Schools should not teach young people about domestic violence until year 9.

The revised sex education guidance due to be announced by the education secretary Gillian Keegan is expected to put other restrictions on teaching about gender and identity.

It is thought teachers will be told to explain ‘biological’ facts when discussing gender, The Guardian reports.

She is also expected to consult on a ban to stop schools from teaching sex education of any type before children are nine.

While the details are being finalised, The Telegraph reports that the guidance is set to describe ‘gender ideology’ as a ‘contested subject,’ and that teachers must say that there are two biological sexes.

Schools will also be required to show parents samples of the material they use to educate their children, which is already a requirement in some cases.

It reportedly comes after concerns that some children are being taught age-inappropriate relationships, sex and health education, according to The Times.

However, critics have described the move as political.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion said on X (formerly Twitter) that ‘politicising sex education is unforgivable dangerous and reactionary,’ adding that it is always age appropriate to teach children how to stay safe.

Campaigner Evie Plumb has previously said that sex ed in schools is nowhere near the level it should be.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk podcast Smut Drop, she said people need to understand bodily autonomy to help them ‘advocate for yourself, whether that’s in the bedroom or at the GP.’

She warned that sex education needs to start early – despite parents’ fears since a lot of early sex ed should be about consent in all aspect of life.

What age does sex education start in schools in the UK?

The new guidelines are expected to be more detailed on what can be discussed at what age.

Currently, all children must be taught relationships, sex and health education.

But the style and content vary depending on the school year and where in the UK you live.

In primary schools, children must now receive relationships education after changes to the law in September 2020.

Young people in secondary school must be taught relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).

However, the quality and scope of sex education can vary ‘widely’ between schools, the Family Planning Association has warned.

What do you learn at what age?

The existing guidance sets out broad topics for children aged five to eleven in primary school.

They will learn about different types of families and healthy relationships, including friendships and boundaries.

Currently, primary schools are allowed to teach additional sex education, but it is not a requirement, the guidance says.

However, they already have to consult parents before the final year of primary school about what sex education is being taught.

And if that goes beyond the national science curriculum, schools have to set it out in their policy and consult with parents.

Then in secondary school, children are taught more complex topics such as puberty, sexual relationships, consent, unsafe relationships and online harms.

In secondary school when children are aged between 11 and 16, they can be taught about sex, sexuality and gender identity ‘in an age-appropriate and inclusive way,’ the current guidance says.

The official guidance says that when teaching these topics, schools must recognise that ‘young people may be discovering or understanding their sexual orientation or gender identity.’

Children should be given an ‘equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships,’ it says.

The guidance leaves room for schools how they decide to teach sex education.

But it does say young people in secondary school should be ‘made aware’ of the relevant legal aspects around marriage, consent, violence against women and girls, sharing nudes and ‘sexting’, pornography, abortion, sexuality and gender identity among others.

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