Showing parents curriculum can prevent ‘indoctrination’
SCHOOLS could be forced to share diversity training materials with parents under a Lords amendment proposed by a former Education Secretary.
Parents say they are being denied access to contentious resources on areas such as race, transgender and sex education, often because external inclusion companies provide them.
Some families have reported headteachers citing an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act as to why they cannot see what is being taught to their children because it could “prejudice the commercial interests” of diversity groups.
Now, crossbench peers have tabled an amendment to the Schools Bill, the Government’s flagship reform legislation going through Parliament, to close the “very big loophole” and avoid pupils being “indoctrinated”.
The amendment says: “Where parents request it, schools must allow parents to view all curriculum materials used in schools, including those provided by external third-party charitable and commercial providers.”
It adds that “schools must not withhold curriculum materials from parental view”, but can limit access to the school premises to satisfy concerns about commercial confidentiality.
A source close to Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, said ministers are “very supportive of the idea of parents having access to the [curriculum]” and support the “thrust” of the amendment.
However, ministers are meeting peers this week to assess whether schools can be reminded of their transparency duties without needing to change the law.
The Labour peer Baroness Morris of Yardley, a former Education Secretary, told the Lords last week: “It is in the area of contested facts and difficult things to teach that schools are most likely to turn to outside organisations to help.”
Lord Sandhurst, a Conservative peer who tabled the amendment with Baroness Morris, added: “It is very important that parents know what is being taught and, in particular, whether their children are being indoctrinated.”
A Department for Education spokesman said: “[As] with all issues raised in the House, the department and ministers will consider whether further action is required.”