UK Government orders review of sex education teaching in English schools

The government has announced a review of sex education in schools, following serious concerns about age inappropriate content.

Ministers will also launch a consultation on statutory guidance covering Relationships and Sexual Health Education (RSHE) "as soon as possible".

A group of around 50 Tory MPs had pushed Rishi Sunak to launch an official inquiry. This afternoon, he agreed to a Whitehall-led review.

At Prime Minister's questions today Miriam Cates MP, who led backbench efforts for an inquiry into sex ed, said:

"Graphic lessons on oral sex, how to choke your partner safely, and 72 genders. This is what passes for Relationships and Sex Education in British schools.

"Across the country children are being subjected to lessons that are age inappropriate, extreme, sexualising, and inaccurate, often using resources from unregulated organisations that are actively campaigning to undermine parents.

"This is not a victory for equality, it is a catastrophe for childhood. Will my right honourable friend honour his commitment to end inappropriate sex education by commissioning an independent inquiry into the nature and extent of this safeguarding scandal?"

Rishi Sunak replied:

"I have asked the Department for Education to ensure that schools are not teaching age inappropriate or contested content in RSHE. Our priority should always be the safety and wellbeing of children and schools should also make curriculum content and materials available to parents.

"As a result of all this we will be bringing forward a review of RSHE statutory guidance and will start our consultation as soon as possible."

An investigation led by Miriam Cates found that inappropriate teaching materials have proliferated in schools since 2019, when the government issued new relationships and sex education guidance.

The guidance - drawn up in consultation with LGBT campaign group Stonewall - specified that “gender identity” should be taught in “an age-appropriate and inclusive way”.

Last week, The Telegraph revealed that some 13 year olds have been told there are 100 genders while primary school children in some schools are being taught about masturbation.

In some schools, children as young as 12 have been asked by teachers how they “feel” about sexual activity including oral and anal sex.

A letter to the Prime Minister by Tory backbenchers said: “Many of the resources used would make adults deeply uncomfortable".

The Department for Education says “schools must make sure all content they use is factual and age-appropriate, and engage with parents so they are aware of what their children are being taught”.

It plans to write to schools this term to remind them of a legal duty to make teaching materials accessible to parents.