Children ‘to be taught about civil partnerships’

PRIMARY school children are likely to be given mandatory lessons on civil partnerships as part of a new relationships curriculum, Government documents state.

Children would be taught about it alongside marriage under government proposals aimed at preparing youngsters for life in modern Britain.

Civil partnerships, which came into effect in 2005, are currently only available for gay couples, but campaigners are calling them to be made universal as a secular alternative to marriage.

In documents released yesterday by the Department for Education, the topic is listed as a ‘theme’ which is ‘likely’ to be focussed on in the curriculum.

It states marriage and civil partnerships may be explored as part of a discussion of ‘commitment’ within relationships.

It also specifies that the lessons need to reflect ‘changes in the law relating to same- sex marriage and civil partnerships and the Equality Act’. Parents,

‘Issues they will soon face’

teachers and pupils are being asked to send in their views on the themes as part of a ‘call to evidence’ launched by Education Secretary Justine Greening.

No definite decisions have been made on course content, and more detailed proposals will be drawn up next year using the feedback.

The document states the curriculum will be ‘age-appropriate’ and will ‘prepare pupils for issues they will soon face’.

Other likely topics include friendships, managing conflict, mental health, safety online and social media.

Ministers hope the lessons will encourage children to be tolerant of lifestyles which might differ from the mainstream.

But Thomas Pascoe, campaign director of the Coalition for Marriage, criticised the plan and said: ‘Marriage needs to be taught as a gold-standard, not one option amongst a bewildering multitude.’

From September 2019, all primary schools must have lessons on relationships. Parents will not have the right to withdraw their children from these classes, which will be mandatory.