Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

England plans to ban sex education for children under nine: Report

This new guidance, set to be announced on Thursday, would specify what topics are appropriate for different age groups and grant parents access to teaching materials.

England plans to ban sex education for children under nine: Report

England is planning to ban sex education for children under nine years old, as well as any teaching about gender identity, according to a news report.

The move comes alongside a review of relationships, sex, and health education (RSHE) guidance.


This new guidance, set to be announced on Thursday, would specify what topics are appropriate for different age groups and grant parents access to teaching materials, reported the BBC.

It will also impose further restrictions on how teachers discuss gender and sexuality, including transgender and non-binary status, following pressure from Conservative MPs.

Head teachers argue there's no widespread issue with inappropriate materials. One union has said the review is "politically motivated," the BBC reported.

The proposed changes aim to offer clearer guidance for teachers and reassure parents. However, critics like Paul Whiteman from the school leaders' union NAHT question the effectiveness of imposing age limits, expressing concerns that such restrictions might lead children to seek information from unreliable sources.

According to the BBC, Rebecca Leek from the Suffolk Primary Headteachers' Association suggests the proposed bans won't significantly alter current practices, as sex education typically starts around age 10.

Meanwhile, Pepe Di'Iasio, representing the Association of School and College Leaders, believes pupils are being politicised and stresses the importance of evidence-based decisions in education.

The National Education Union supports discussions about relationships for primary-school children, emphasising the need for open dialogue with trusted adults.

The upcoming guidance follows previous controversies, including protests against LGBT relationships education at Anderton Park Primary. Head teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson told the BBC the new guidance must leave no room for ambiguity, particularly regarding LGBT relationships education.

Conservative MPs have raised concerns about children's exposure to "inappropriate content" and "radical ideologies" and called for a review of RSHE guidance. Prime minister Rishi Sunak accelerated this review, with the forthcoming guidance expected to address contested issues like gender ideology.

In Northern Ireland, relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is mandatory, while Welsh schools have had mandatory RSE since 2022. Scotland is finalising updated guidance following a public consultation in 2023.

More For You

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

Asim Munir

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

PAKISTAN’S army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (7) rejected Delhi’s allegation that his military received active support from longtime ally China in its conflict with India in May.

The Indian Army’s deputy chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, said last week that China gave Islamabad “live inputs” on key Indian positions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

Christine Kangaloo awards Narendra Modi with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago last Friday (4)

Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi met Argentine president Javier Milei in Buenos Aires last Saturday (5), urging the expansion of New Delhi’s preferential trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.

The bilateral talks with Milei were the latest in Modi’s whistle-stop diplomatic tour culminating in the summit of Brics emerging economies which began last Sunday (6) in Brazil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less