Schools: Discrimination

(asked on 23rd April 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to prevent sexism in schools.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 29th April 2019

The Equality Act makes it unlawful for a school to discriminate against or treat a pupil less favourably because of protected characteristics. Under the Public Sector Equality Duty, schools that are public bodies have a general duty to have regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and to advance equality of opportunity between different groups and foster good relations between different groups.

In November 2018, the Department published Respectful School Communities, a self-review and signposting tool that supports schools in developing a whole-school approach that promotes respect and discipline. This can combat sexual bullying, sexual harassment, and prejudice and helps schools to identify the various elements that make up a whole school approach, consider gaps in their current practice, and get further support. The Respectful School Communities review is available here: https://educateagainsthate.com/school-leaders/?filter=guidance-and-training-school-leaders.

The Department is making relationships education compulsory for all primary pupils, relationships and sex education compulsory for all secondary pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools from September 2020. The draft guidance sets out that pupils will be taught about the importance of developing healthy, respectful and positive relationships. Pupils should also know about the negative impact of discrimination, what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes, including those based on gender, can be unfair, negative or destructive.

Advice is also available for schools and colleges on how to prevent and respond to reports of sexual violence and harassment between children. It sets out what to do if there are incidents of this kind in the school.

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