Press release - age appropriate RSE next steps

[Vebrithien]

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, but have just come across it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-steps-taken-to-ensure-age-appropriate-relationships-sex-and-health-education

I'll pop some of the info in the next message, can't copy across much on my phone!

(Yesterday)

Today the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has announced the formation of an independent expert advisory panel who will advise on the review of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum. This is the next step in progressing the government’s mission to ensure that RSHE is taught in an age-appropriate and factual way in England.

The panel will provide expert advice to the Education Secretary on what is appropriate to be taught in RSHE and at what age. They will consider evidence provided by Ofsted on what is happening on the ground in schools to ascertain where clear age ratings are needed, to reassure parents that there is no room for disturbing or inappropriate content to be taught in schools.

This announcement follows robust action to ensure parents know what their children are being taught. In March, the Education Secretary wrote to all schools reminding them that parents should be able to view all curriculum materials, especially for sensitive topics like RSHE.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, said:
The wellbeing and safeguarding of children is our absolute priority, and I share the concerns of parents and teachers about reports that inappropriate lessons are being taught in schools.

"The vast majority of teachers do an incredible job navigating these complex and sensitive issues. But the review of the statutory guidance - with the help of this expert panel - will provide clear safeguards against children being taught concepts they are too young to understand or that are inappropriate for their age."

"I’m determined to bring forward new guidance as quickly as possible, and schools should continue to engage with parents on lessons that cover the teaching of sensitive issues."

The panel members were carefully considered based on their level of relevant experience and expertise and will bring together input from health, children’s development, and safeguarding:

• Professor Dame Lesley Regan, professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London and the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador
• Sir Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Star Academies
• Helena Brothwell, Regional Director of School Improvement for David Ross Academy Trust
• Alasdair Henderson, barrister specialising in public law, human rights and equality law
• Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England

(Anyone know anything about these people?)

Chief Executive of Star Academies, Sir Hamid Patel, said:
"The panel will offer insight on how schools can deliver a high quality RSHE curriculum for all our young people in a way that is age-appropriate, objective and wisely informed by the needs and views of children, parents and families from all backgrounds, across the country."

The review is a welcome opportunity to provide clarity for teachers on expectations, alongside transparency and reassurance for parents.This is the first review of the statutory guidance since it came into force in 2020. It will provide an opportunity to consider whether the guidance covers the right topics and offers teachers clarity on how to teach sensitive subjects and engage parents positively.

The review of the curriculum will also make sure priority issues are given the attention they deserve, including considering new or additional content on mental health, suicide prevention, vaping and tackling violence against women and girls.

The review will be completed by the end of the year, following a consultation in the autumn. Input from the independent panel and wider stakeholders over the summer will inform the consultation.

The panel will begin work immediately and conclude their work by September 2023. The panel members are expected to give their time on a voluntary basis

Thank you for highlighting this. Whoa, need to do a deep dive on all of those people asap.

Interestingly, those are different people from the ones I saw trailed a while ago. The previous ones contained some people who were very much committed to gender woo. Looks like there's been a re-think. Hope this is good news!

Dame Lesley Regan

"Professor Dame Lesley Regan appointed as government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador

17th Jun 2022
Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Trust consultant at St Mary’s Hospital, has been appointed as the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England.

Through the ambassador role, Professor Regan will support the implementation of the government’s upcoming Women’s Health Strategy, which aims to tackle the gender health gap and ensure services meet the needs of women throughout their life.

She will continue her clinical practice at Imperial College Healthcare and as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London, bringing expertise that spans a 42 year career in women’s health, with a particular interest in miscarriage, period problems, gynaecological surgery and menopause."

www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/professor-dame-lesley-regan-appointed-as-womens-health-ambassador

Am impressed. Some good news.

I'm not a massive fan of academies and those who lead them but willing to reserve judgement for now till further notice! too tired to go looking at them.

A human rights lawyer sounds a good shout too. And not surprised as schools are going bonkers over the EA2010. Thanks to a combination of Ofsted reporting specifically on whether children know the PC's and undoubtedly a bit of No Outsiders kicking off a trend. Plus all the quality marks which ALL have a box to fill in saying "tell us how diverse and inclusive your school is," 🤪

And if you want to apply for any funding for a project, you have to bang on about diversity and inclusion there too. If a school thinks it means rainbows and glitter, well they're fucked.

So yes please, some laying down of the fucking law.

Alasdair Henderson led the enquiry into anti-Semitism in the Labour party.

Okay, that is starting to sound promising then?

Only came across it by chance, not seen any other publicity, but seemed relevant, both to my job, and with everything that has been going on with DD's school.

Some background on some of the people here

www.theguardian.com/education/2023/may/31/sex-education-in-schools-in-england-to-be-reviewed-by-expert-panel

schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-five-advisers-who-will-support-dfes-sex-education-review/

Alasdair Henderson acted for Keira Bell! So he definitely has an appreciation of the harm that transitioning can have for young women and girls.

I have just read a lie:
“It is worth remembering that the current curriculum was subject to extensive consultation before it was introduced,” James Bowen, director of policy for the National Association of Head Teachers, said in March. “We have seen no evidence to suggest there is a widespread problem with pupils being presented with age-inappropriate materials, and if this were the situation, we would expect it to have been picked up on a case-by-case basis.”

Isn’t he connected to something not quite right? I am sure there were some informative posts about him a few months ago.

The NAHT can, quite frankly, go swivel.

Ah - the NAHT who have been pushing trans ideology for years. Apart from hiding (or hopefully getting rid of) their grim guidelines, they'll be much deleting and reverse ferreting to hide their lack of due diligence and levels of culpability for much of this.

If be very interested to know if so

Personal opinion, and one that I also heard on woman's hour once, is that breastfeeding should be covered more at school under general growing up, life cycles and puberty. Not particularly pushing it as such, nor that it's a choice as it's all very political but making sure that children are aware of the purpose of breasts.

I was also reflecting with a friend that careers education doesn't include conversations about what might happen when you have children and who takes career breaks. How those things can be managed. Encourage more boys to think about how they may handle child care and practicalities. Not to say that mothers should be working but how the family unit works as a team. That the child care is part of that (whether it is them at home or they use child minders or nurseries) but also the importance of the early years.

That is part of relationships.

Jordan Peterson said in his discussion with Matt Walsh that he wants these type of people imprisoned.

Like the global banking crisis and Savile it's not going to happen, the taxpayer will fund compensation and inquiries and increase the national debt yet again, they will learn a lesson in how to abuse us more slyly next time, they will enjoy a huge pension and retain their reputation.

James Bowen is mentioned in tbe OP if this thread, not happy with a review of RSE.

www.mumsnet.com/index.php/talk/womens_rights/4759306-miriam-cates-report-on-rse

Warrior
I just found this about James Bowen from an earlier thread in March. All about his poo pooing any concern about PSHE lessons.
Maybe it is the same as what you found.

ScrollingLeaves · 10/03/2023 23:18
^Resister Rex
8 March on another thread,
wrote important additional information in relation to the “Association of Headteachers” mentioned in the news report which people may want to be aware of - after all the A of HT sounds very worthy^.

Quote from the report

"Head teachers said they were unhappy about the review. James Bowen, director of policy the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “It is hard to be anything other than deeply concerned by this announcement.

“The overwhelming majority of schools are doing nothing more than following the government’s own statutory guidance when it comes to relationships and sex education. The current curriculum was subject to extensive consultation before it was introduced.

“We have seen no evidence to suggest there is a widespread problem with pupils being presented with age-inappropriate materials and if this were the situation, we would expect it to have been picked up on a case-by-case basis.

“There is a real concern that this is a politically motivated review, rather than one based on the reality of what is happening in the vast majority of schools up and down the country. Our appeal to government is to ensure this review is now handled with the care, sensitivity and impartiality it requires and to listen carefully to the voices of education professionals and pupils.”

^ResisterRex
Oh, THAT National Association of Head Teachers. Got it:

www.naht.org.uk/About-Us/Organisations-we-support/Diversity-Role-Models

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/2020/06/18/love-has-no-age-a-letter-to-asda/

Our appeal to government is to ensure this review is now handled with the care, sensitivity and impartiality it requires and to listen carefully to the voices of education professionals and pupils.”

So not interested in parents' views then? Surely safeguarding requires parents also being involved? Somewhat dodgy that such an important group of stakeholders are entirely ignored by this man who should surely know about their importance for safeguarding?

Agree that breastfeeding should be discussed, including the many benefits for women's health. Especially given so many young girls seem intent on cutting their breasts off and there is seemingly no prior discussion by medics of the bodily function they'll be giving up by doing so.

That would be my hope as a secondary impact of breast feeding education