Decision details

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

LGBT+ inclusive Relationship & Sex Education

This Council welcomes the introduction of statutory Relationships Education

and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), which all primary and secondary

schools in England respectively will be required to teach from September

2020.

Recently we have seen a small but growing minority of vocal individuals who

have begun lobbying primary schools, spreading misinformation and in some

cases leading protests outside schools, trying to stop LGBT+ inclusive RSE.

People of all faiths and none, are LGBT and it is vital that all children receive

comprehensive and inclusive ‘relationships and sex’ education, regardless of

their parents’ beliefs. The last guidance on relationships and sex education

was written over 20 years ago, and we need to ensure that we bring this

guidance up to date and that all children are receiving the education they

need to understand their identity, navigate the world, and form healthy and

respectful relationships.

The 2017 Labour Manifesto confirmed the party’s commitment to “age-

appropriate inclusive RSE”. The term ‘age appropriate’ should be taken to

mean the age at which children and young people are introduced to different

aspects of relationships, including sex (but not exclusively), and should not

indicate that same sex relationships should be taught at a different age to

heterosexual relationships.

This Council notes that ridding this country of the scourge of Section 28

(which gagged Schools and Local Authorities from acknowledging the LGBT+

community and their needs in compulsory education) was a significant win for

LGBT Equality, and we must play no part in rowing back the tides of progress

that have been made since then.

This Council also believes that parents’ rights and religious freedoms should

be respected but balanced against children’s independent, legally protected

rights and the need to eliminate discrimination. We believe schools should be

supported to proactively communicate with parents and carers about the

nature and importance of RSE and the detrimental effects that withdrawal

might have on their children.

This Council resolves to:

• Confirm its support for compulsory relationship education for all

schools (including primary schools) which is LGBT+ inclusive and

promotes respect, acceptance and diversity.

• Write to the Secretary for Education asking them to ensure they don’t

just pass policy, but make the Government’s inclusive Relationship &

Sex Education a reality, through providing resource to ensure the

necessary training, resources, guidance and support for schools and

teachers in introducing and maintaining inclusive RSE.