MP: ‘Inappropriate sex ed putting pupils in harm’s way’

Sex education activists are “pushing inappropriate content” in schools in England, the Shadow Schools Minister has warned.

Neil O’Brien accepted that there is “perfectly good” relationships and sex education happening in many schools, but said there are too many examples of extreme and ideologically driven content.

In September, The Christian Institute urged Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to finalise and issue draft guidance drawn up by the previous Government on sex education, transgender issues and safeguarding in schools.

‘Real-world consequences’

O’Brien said: “A highly contentious approach to sex education is now being followed in our schools, with activist providers pushing bad ideas with bad real-world consequences.”

Children, he argued, are being exposed to: “age-inappropriate and sexualising content”, ideas that present gender transitioning as “risk-free”, the promotion of gender ideology, and a hedonistic, relationship-negative view of sex.

The frontbench spokesman on education concluded: “Many parents would not agree with what is being taught to their children — if they were even allowed to see it.”

He added: “Parents should not be put into a position of feeling like they have to withdraw children from sex education lessons by extreme or ideological teaching.”

Parental rights

Earlier this year, the Government rejected a proposed amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to give parents in England a legal right to see what their children are being taught in school.

Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell, who opposed the amendment, claimed: “There is no evidence of a widespread problem that would justify the extra burden and bureaucracy it would create for schools.”

But O’Brien challenged her statement, saying that in recent years a number of extreme groups “have been pumping all kinds of bizarre materials into sex education classes and other lessons”.

Another backbench attempt to improve transparency about the content of sex education materials is expected in the Lords later this year.