Today, the British Humanist Association published the findings of their research into schools’ sex and relationships education (SRE). They identify 44 schools where the SRE policies either “replicate section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 or are unhelpfully vague on the issue.” In case you've forgotten Section 28 was the infamous legislation insisting that local authorities “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality.” It was repealed in 2003, but it appears many schools are unaware of this.
The BHA was prompted to investigate when it was contacted about the SRE policy of Colston Girls’ School in Bristol. At that time the school’s policy explicitly stated that “The Governing Body will not permit the promotion of homosexuality.” However this was withdrawn once the issue was raised with the school.
Out of the 44 identified schools, the policies in 19 appear clearly offensive. These “high concern” schools tend to prohibit any but “objective” discussion on homosexuality, or even sexual orientation in general. For example, the Crest Academies’ (2 schools) SRE policy regarding homosexuality reads: “The Crest Academies recognises the need to address homosexuality and the need to provide education related to the spread of HIV/AIDS which will, of necessity, include reference to homosexuals, bisexuals and heterosexuals. The Crest Academies and the Governing Body will not permit the promotion of homosexuality. Objective discussion of homosexuality may take place in the classroom.”
The report uncovered many other troubling cases. The SRE policy of Kesteven & Sleaford High School Selective Academy, for example, reads: “Section 28 of the Local Government Act of 1988 does not prevent the objective discussion of homosexuality in the classroom and schools can provide counselling, guidance, advice and support to pupils. It does prohibit intentionally promoting homosexuality, or the acceptability of homosexuality, as a pretended family relationship.”
BHA Head of Public Affairs Pavan Dhaliwal commented, “It is simply unacceptable that over a decade after the repeal of the pernicious section 28 these schools continue to enforce similar policies, while others have statements which are overly vague on this matter. All of the schools identified must urgently review their sex and relationships education policies to ensure that all pupils, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with equal respect and understanding and that homophobic and transphobic bullying is stamped out.”
It could be that some of these schools are unwittingly replicating Section 28 policies: it has been suggested that some schools might be using a now out-dated format as a template for policies. Whatever the case, the BHA’s investigation is likely to put pressure on the schools in question to look into renewing their policies. In fact, this website for a petition calling for policy revision says that some of the named schools have already withdrawn their policies.
