Children’s Commissioner to investigate ‘horrendous’ RSE resources

The Children’s Commissioner for England is to launch an investigation into the teaching of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in schools.

Dame Rachel de Souza told the Education Committee that “thoughtful and age-appropriate” resources were “absolutely critical”, particularly given the dangers of the online world.

Miriam Cates MP had spoken to the committee about her concerns, and gave what De Souza called “some horrendous examples” of what had been taught in class.

Rape

During a recent Westminster Hall debate, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge highlighted to colleagues examples such as a dice game teaching children of 13 and over about explicit sex acts, and guidance pushing children to read erotic works “while looking up Dominance and Submission”.

She explained that when RSE was made compulsory in secondary schools from September 2020, it “opened the floodgates” to external organisations providing resources on the issue.

Additionally, Cates reported that constituents had even informed her of “a nine year old coming home, shaking, white as a sheet, because they’ve been taught in detail about rape”.

Ideology

Writing in The Telegraph, columnist Allison Pearson said she “could not agree more” with Cate’s concerns.

“The Government needs to conduct a full review into what schools are teaching children on sex and gender and compel them to show the material to parents.”

She highlighted how “pernicious” gender ideology has taken root in the UK, saying: “Teachers who disapprove are scared of being sacked or accused of a hate crime if they even hint that a trans girl is biologically male.”

The columnist said: “What we don’t expect is for schools to secretly facilitate their pupils to make major, life-altering decisions while keeping parents in the dark because they might be ‘transphobic’ bigots.”

Parents

Last month, members of the House of Lords stressed that outside organisations that deliver RSE should not be ‘hiding’ their resources from parents.

During a House of Lords debate on the Schools Bill, Peers complained that parents were being denied the right to know what was being taught in RSE at their child’s school.

The Government promised to consider further the issue, but refused to support an amendment to ensure parents could view all school curriculum material.