NAHT comments on government's promised review of sex education

Commenting as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promises a review of the government's statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), James Bowen, director of policy for school leaders' union NAHT, said:

"It is hard to be anything other than deeply concerned by this announcement.

"The overwhelming majority of schools are doing nothing more than following the government’s own statutory guidance when it comes to relationships and sex education. It is worth remembering that the current curriculum was subject to extensive consultation before it was introduced. We have seen no evidence to suggest there is a widespread problem with pupils being presented with age-inappropriate materials and if this were the situation, we would expect it to have been picked up on a case by case basis.

"There is a real concern that this is a politically motivated review, rather than one based on the reality of what is happening in the vast majority of schools up and down the country. Our appeal to government is to ensure this review is now handled with the care, sensitivity and impartiality it requires and to listen carefully to the voices of education professionals and pupils.”