The Department for Education has appointed an expert panel to review the relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education curriculum and erase “disturbing and inappropriate content”.
The government has said today that the updated RSE and health education guidance will be published for consultation in the autumn term after the panel concludes its work in September.
The independent expert advisory panel, made up of five members, will also advise education secretary Gillian Keegan on the introduction of age ratings on curriculum content to prevent children from being taught concepts they are too young to understand.
The panel will also consider evidence provided by Ofsted to ascertain where clear age ratings are needed.
It comes after Ms Keegan wrote to schools in March to “ensure” they were complying with a legal obligation to publish their RSE and health education approach, as well as sharing all curriculum materials with parents.
The DfE has said today that the review will ensure that certain issues will be prioritised in the review, including considering new or additional content on mental health, suicide prevention, vaping and tackling violence against women and girls.
Ms Keegan said that the wellbeing and safeguarding of children was the government’s “absolute priority”, and she shared “the concerns of parents and teachers about reports that inappropriate lessons are being taught in schools”.
The education secretary said that the review would provide clear safeguards against children being taught concepts “they are too young to understand or that are inappropriate for their age”.
She added: “I’m determined to bring forward new guidance as quickly as possible, and schools should continue to engage with parents on lessons that cover the teaching of sensitive issues.”
The review will be completed by the end of the year, following the consultation in the autumn.
One of the panellists, Sir Hamid Patel, chief executive of Star Academies, said: “The panel will offer insight on how schools can deliver a high-quality RSE curriculum for all our young people in a way that is age-appropriate, objective and wisely informed by the needs and views of children, parents and families from all backgrounds across the country.
“The review is a welcome opportunity to provide clarity for teachers on expectations, alongside transparency and reassurance for parents.”
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