Sex education which is ‘fully inclusive of all genders and sexualities’, and covers schoolchildren from the age of five, was announced by the Welsh Government in May.
Re-branded as Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), the subject will be embedded within the curriculum – although the parental right of withdrawal is set to remain in Wales, but not in England.
As she announced the change, Wales’ Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said ‘relationships, rights and respect’ will be a key feature of the subject. Williams added, ‘we will also ensure that RSE is fully inclusive of all genders and sexualities’ and that it caters for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. ‘I want all our learners to know that they have an inalienable right to be happy – this is the driving force behind the changes we’re proposing’, she concluded.
Schools with a religious character will continue to be allowed to teach the subject in a way ‘that is consistent with their ethos’.
No rights in England
In England, the government held a call for evidence on plans for ‘Relationships Education’, to be taught as a statutory subject in primary schools across England. It will mean teaching young children about ‘different types of relationships’, which could include homosexuality, transsexualism and same-sex marriage. Ministers plan to deny parents the right to withdraw their children from the classes.
