Racial Hatred: Primary Education

(asked on 8th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that primary school children in England are taught about racism.


Answered by
Baroness Berridge Portrait
Baroness Berridge
This question was answered on 22nd June 2020

We want to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe. We also want to equip them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why from September 2020, we are making relationships education compulsory for primary school-age pupils, relationships and sex education compulsory for secondary school-age pupils, and health education compulsory for pupils in all state-funded schools.

The statutory guidance sets out that as part of relationships educations, all primary-aged pupils will be taught the importance of respecting others, even when they are very different from them, or make different choices or have different preferences or beliefs. Pupils will also be taught what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes can be unfair, negative or destructive.

Schools can also teach about racism in personal, social, health and economic education and citizenship education where pupils can develop their understanding of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding. There is also flexibility within the history curriculum for teachers to teach about Black history across the spectrum of themes and eras.

Schools are required to actively promote fundamental British values, including democracy as well as the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faith and beliefs.

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