RSE - Amendment in Schools Bill, and Children's Commissioner looks at PHSE/RSE

[ResisterRex]

Two developments.

1. Labour and Conservative peers (one of each) have proposed an amendment in the Schools Bill, to allow parents to view materials:

bills.parliament.uk/publications/46764/documents/1930

www.conservativesforwomen.org/an-amendent-to-the-schools-bill-seeks-visibility-and-openness-for-parents

1. The Children's Commissioner has announced that she's been asked to look at experiences of PHSE and RSE:

www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/2022/06/10/understanding-childrens-experience-of-pshe-and-rse/

"I am very pleased to have been commissioned by the Education Secretary to look specifically at relationship and sex education (RSE) and to complement the work that the Department for Education (DfE) is doing to improve the consistency and quality of RSE teaching. I have been asked to look at:
• How we can support schools to teach high quality RSE effectively and with confidence.
• How teachers can feel fully equipped to teach these subjects well.
• How we can include the voice of children and young people in achieving the DfE’s aims for RSE more widely."
Also here:
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/754d2758-e814-11ec-9b02-3f136f233710?shareToken=46c44320737a2343bf9100d43498e567

I started a thread on the school bill the other day. It goes much further than what you've posted. It essentially puts DfE in full control over education, cutting out LAs, DfE get to pick school governors, no headteacher discretion anymore not to mention how it will affect childminders, after school clubs, tutors etc. I honestly think they need to start again from scratch with this bill.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/4565450-schools-bill-ex-ministers-line-up-to-criticise-dfe-power-grab

I've read about it and understand that (seems plenty unhappy with it), though have no idea if it'll get pulled. Does that ever happen? I guess maybe it must - not everything gets through probably?

If they don't withdraw the bill btw I really hope they proceed with the amendment (sorry should have been clearer, this bill is a whopper)

Just seen this! Need a facepalm emoji... lol

Bills do get pulled or voted out if enough people sign petitions, protest etc. This bill concerns me greatly because without proper amendments etc, it basically says the government can do whatever they want regarding education without any oversight, which has never been done in our history. Maybe this government has good intentions. But what about the next one? There's no guarantee more restrictions wouldn't be added further down the line. The amount of data they're proposing to collect on kids is fairly shocking tbh, I'm not aware of any country that collects that much and for that length of time. How the heck are they going to keep it safe? They don't do a great job at protecting data as it is.

Maybe this government has good intentions. But what about the next one?

I would agree with this. Should be the test for all legislation really.

and I don't think anyone can trust the 'good intentions' of the present government. do they have 'good intentions' in any other aspects of politics? Or just that they want to make money for their mates and ignore the rules.

Certainly all MPs should ask themselves what the law they're passing would look like in the hands of the Opposition.

I don't think there is evidence that this government is making money from RSE lessons though. Quite the opposite, as lots of unsuitable providers seem to be doing that.

I'm not going to argue with that XD