LATEST
- EHRC Draft Guidance and Safeguarding in Schools: What Governors Must Now UnderstandThe draft Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice clarifies that “sex” refers to biological sex and legitimizes single-sex provisions in schools, emphasizing safeguarding. School governors must ensure policies are legally compliant, document decisions, and prioritize privacy and safety. The shift from ambiguity to accountability requires thorough risk assessments and justifiable practices.
- Policy by Template, Risk by Design: How Schools May Be Drifting Out of Compliance with the New RSHE GuidanceWith new statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education set for September 2026, schools face compliance risks due to policy language from providers like The Key. The guidance emphasizes legal clarity and requires governance bodies to adopt evidence-based teaching, ensuring safeguarding and accurate representation of contested concepts.
- Safeguarding, Law, and Governance: An Open Letter to Brighton & Hove School GovernorsToday, PSHE Brighton has formally issued an Open Letter to school governors across Brighton & Hove, accompanied by a Governor Safeguarding Briefing: Schools, Sex, and Safeguarding — What Governors Need to Know (2026). These documents have been circulated via Clerks to Governing Bodies, with a clear purpose: to support governors in discharging their statutory safeguarding… Read more: Safeguarding, Law, and Governance: An Open Letter to Brighton & Hove School Governors
- BHCC Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit Version 5 (January 2025)Brighton and Hove City Council released the revised Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit Version 5, set for debate on January 30, 2025. Critics argue it inadequately addresses safeguarding concerns, lacks compliance with legal guidelines, and may mislead schools regarding gender reassignment. The Toolkit’s ambiguous language potentially endangers vulnerable children while shifting legal liability to schools.
- BHCC Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit ConsultationBrighton and Hove City Council is seeking feedback on their revised Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit, with a consultation deadline of October 11, 2024. A model response is available to assist families in crafting their submissions, incorporating insights from the Cass Report and relevant legal evidence. Responses are strongly encouraged.
Existing Legislation and Guidance of Interest
Here are the most relevant pieces of legislation and guidance, published by the Government that relate to the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum, the safeguarding of children and the SEND Code of Practice for those vulnerable children with additional special needs:
Working together to safeguard children
Keeping children safe in education – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Education Act 2011 (legislation.gov.uk)
Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Teaching about relationships, sex and health – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Here are some links to resources locally in Brighton and Hove and nationally that support parents and carers to understand and ensure a broad and balanced curriculum for their child, safeguarding for their child at school and support for parents of vulnerable children, those with additional special needs and those questioning their gender:
Children and RSHE | Children’s Commissioner for England (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)
National Governors Association joint guidance produce in partnership with Association of School and College Leaders and the National Association of Headteachers and others: transgender-guidance-20221102.pdf (nga.org.uk)
The Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (The Cass Review) was commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement in Autumn 2020 to make recommendations about the services provided by the NHS to children and young people who are questioning their gender identity or experiencing gender incongruence. Interim report – Cass Review
Get in touch…
Support for families affected by PSHE/RSE delivery in schools and associated issues in Brighton & Hove. PSHEbrighton is currently listening to affected families, if you have issues or concerns about the delivery of PSHE/RSE in Brighton schools, please be in touch!
