The relationship and sex education policy of a multi-academy trust has been criticised for being “from the dark ages” over its policy on homosexuality.

The East Midlands Academy Trust, which has five primaries, one secondary and one all through school in Milton Keynes and Northampton, has a policy which states “it will not permit the promotion of homosexuality or bisexuality”.

The policy was criticised by a teacher who was considering applying for a job there. It was removed from the website this morning after Tes contacted the trust about the document.

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As reported in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, the teacher said: “It is particularly shocking to read a policy that so closely models the much despised section 28.

“That long repealed law spread fear into the hearts of teachers in the 1990s - where the ban on promoting homosexuality was used a stick to beat teachers and local authorities who wanted to provide services, support or even simply acceptance for children and teenagers who were different.

“To use that language is at worst deliberate, and at best deeply ignorant. It may even be a breach of the law.”

The policy, described as being “from the dark ages” by the teacher, which was still available on the school’s website this morning.

It says: “The Academy Trust recognises the need to address the issue of homosexuality and the need to provide education related to the spread of HIV/AIDS which will, of necessity, include reference to homosexuals and bisexuals. Objective discussion of homosexuality may take place in the classroom.

“The Academy Trust will not permit the promotion of homosexuality or bisexuality.”

A spokesperson for the trust said the policy had been removed from its website, and had been “inherited” from a previous trust, and that it was due to be renewed pending in line with the government’s new RSE curriculum to be introduced in September this year.

She said: “The statutory DfE guidance around sex and relationships has been updated and will take effect in September 2020. The policy referred to is an old policy developed under the existing DfE guidance from 2000 and by the former academy trust.

“Ahead of the forthcoming change in guidance, a new policy is due to be presented to our Trust board at its next meeting in April 2020.

“As a Trust, we strongly believe in equality of opportunity for every pupil and teacher across our schools, as stated in our Equalities Policy 2019-21.

“The relationships and sex education delivered within our schools is fully inclusive and we operate a strict no-tolerance approach to bullying across the Trust and work hard to promote our schools as safe and inclusive learning environments for all pupils, staff and volunteers.”

Section 28 was part of the Local Government Act 1988 which was introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government and repealed in 2003.

The DfE has been contacted for comment.