BARNSLEY’S only Conservative MP has said she is ‘delighted’ that new rules have been published for sex and health education being taught in schools - meaning ‘contested ideas’ around gender identity will be cut.
Miriam Cates, who represents the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency, has long been campaigning for more work to be done to ‘protect’ children from any harmful materials they may be encountering - either online or in schools.
This week, the government published new rules for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in schools - much to the delight of Mrs Cates.
She said: “This is something I’ve been campaigning for since I asked a question at PMQs last year highlighting some of the age-inappropriate content that was being used in RSHE lessons.
“Following my meeting with him, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak created an independent panel of experts to review the existing RSHE curriculum and make recommendations on how to make sure all teaching is suitable for children.
“This new guidance is a direct result of the review that I called for.
“It will ensure that children are only taught things that are appropriate for them at specific ages, and will end the teaching of contested ideas around gender identity.
“I care deeply about letting kids be kids, so I’m pleased to have helped make these changes happen.”
