Pupils to have LGBT ‘voice’ in every subject

New guidance for teachers... as education standards fall

TEACHERS have been ordered to include ‘LGBT voices’ across all subjects in schools – including science and maths.

New guidance suggests science lessons address the ‘hidden lives’ of people ‘rumoured’ to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender – including nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

One sample question for a physics class asks pupils about the principles of ‘heat transfer’, with reference to ‘a household with parents in a same-sex relationship’.

Backed by the Scottish Government, the latest advice states that failing to include references to LGBT identities in all areas of the curriculum could make some pupils feel excluded and compromise their ‘wellbeing and achievements’.

But campaigners warn the advice – from the LGBT Youth Scotland charity and funded by the Scottish Government – was ‘misguided’ and risked ‘distracting’ teachers. Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘Addressing the decline in academic standards should be the priority. There is a danger that well-intentioned PC notions are distracting teachers from that goal.’

The 16-page document, Curriculum Inclusion, states: ‘The absence of references to LGBT identities in our classrooms and curriculum means the majority of LGBT learners will attend schools where there are few, if any, positive representations of who they are.

‘This can lead to LGBT learners and families feeling excluded.’

The guidance describes how ‘simple, actionable ideas for lessons’ would help ‘with normalising expressions of LGBT identity’ and send ‘positive messages’.

This includes suggesting that maths questions might include ‘two dads working out how much pocket money to give their children.

The document also suggests pupils discuss the ‘hidden lives’ of important figures ‘rumoured to be LGBT’, such as Sir Francis Bacon and Florence Nightingale.

The guidance comes amid significant concerns about attainment in Scottish schools.

The latest Programme for International Student Assessment survey said in 2016 that Scotland’s ranking in science had fallen from tenth place in 2006 to 19th, in reading ability from 11th to 23rd, and in maths from 11th to 24th.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘Parents want children to have a rounded education, focusing on academic excellence as well as on tolerance. Respecting the rights of all LGBT pupils is part of that, but most parents will think this situation is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.’ Chloe Westley of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: ‘Families will be flabbergasted that instead of investing in staff or teaching resources, the Government has commissioned an expensive 16-page report that recommends shoehorning social issues into subjects such as maths.’ Education Secretary John Swinney said: ‘Our education system must support everyone to reach their potential. It is vital the curriculum is as diverse as the young people who learn in our schools.’

Cara Spence, LGBT Youth Scotland’s head of programmes, said:

‘Promoting political agenda of a forceful minority’

‘If Scotland truly aspires to be a progressive country, it’s important that the curriculum is inclusive.’

But the Family Education Trust said: ‘This curriculum appears to have less to do with learning and more about promoting the political agenda of a forceful minority.’