Transgender issues will be on new sex lessons curriculum

CHILDREN will be taught about transgender issues as part of compulsory sex and relationship education classes, the Department for Education has confirmed.

The classes, statutory for all primary and secondary schools from September 2019, must be “sensitive” to the needs of young people “whatever their developing sexuality or identity”, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

Peter Tatchell, the veteran gay rights campaigner, wrote to Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, earlier this year to ask her what children will be taught in the classes.

Officials from the Department for Education told him: “With regards to your concerns about RSE [relationship and sex education] not including LGBT issues, I can assure you that the department expects all schools to ensure that young people, whatever their developing sexuality or identity, feel that RSE is relevant to them and sensitive to their needs.”

Mr Tatchell welcomed the response, saying it is “reassuring to know that LGBT+ education will be part of the new RSE”.

It comes as parents are being asked what their children should be taught in school sex and relationship lessons as well as getting views from teachers and young people.

As part of the move, statutory guidance on the subject is being updated, amid concerns that the current advice is out of date and fails to address modern problems such as cyber bullying, sexting and online safety.

The Department for Education is today launching an eight-week call for evidence, asking for views on age-appropriate content on topics to be included in sex and relationships education, including mental wellbeing and LGBT issues.