Islington Labour has shown its full support for LGBT+ inclusive relationship education in all local schools.
From September 2020, it will it will be compulsory for all primary schools to deliver Relationship Education and for secondary schools to deliver Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).
Importantly, this new curriculum will be LGBT+ inclusive, helping to teach children and young people across Islington about different families, and in secondary schools, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Leader of Islington Council, Cllr Richard Watts, and the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, have written to all local schools to show their support for schools in implementing the new curriculum (letter pictured below).
Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz said:
“We are immensely proud that Islington is a diverse and welcoming borough, where inclusivity is championed, and prejudice confronted.
“The long overdue inclusion of LGBT+ families and identities in RSE will help to address anti-LGBT+ bullying and ensures that pupils who are from LGBT+ families, or who may have an LGBT+ identity themselves, are reflected in the relationship education they receive.”
Cllr Richard Watts added:
“Disgracefully, there have been some incidents in other areas of the country where the teaching of LGBT+ inclusive relationship education has been protested against or challenged. We want all schools and parents to know that teachers have Islington Council’s full support to deliver an inclusive curriculum.
“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with all local schools in implementing the new curriculum, which will build on the positive work that we know many local schools are already doing in offering LGBT+ inclusive education.”
Many local primary schools are already using Islington Council’s “You, Me, PSHE” guidance, as well as teaching both primary and secondary pupils from the Council’s ‘Out with Homophobia’ PSHE teaching resource. Schools have also been involved in the Council’s review of RSE where teachers and Council officers have been talking to LGBT+ students and allies about what makes effective teaching and learning in RSE.
Islington Labour Group also showed its support for inclusive education by backing LGBT Labour’s inclusive education for all campaign (pictured).
If any parents or teachers have any concerns or issues relating the delivery of this important part of the curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact the Council and you will receive our full support.