Education Secretary assures that schools will not be silent on gender despite new sex guidance.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has defended the new sex education guidance for schools, rejecting claims that it will create a “big silence” around the conversation on gender.

The guidance, set to be published on Thursday and subject to a nine-week consultation, will advise schools not to teach about the concept of gender identity. Keegan emphasized that the Government’s approach will still allow children to “explore ideologies”, but that “gender ideology” should not be taught as fact.

In a series of media interviews, Keegan addressed concerns about the teaching of “inappropriate” material on gender identity in schools. She acknowledged that there had been reports of pupils being taught that there are “72 genders” and that gender could “change daily”, but she did not have specific data on the extent of the issue.

Keegan highlighted the distinction between self-identifying as a different gender and medically transitioning, stating that those who have undergone gender reassignment are legally and medically allowed to identify as their chosen gender.

She also referenced draft guidance on supporting pupils questioning their gender, which includes involving parents in decisions related to social transitioning. Keegan assured that the new guidance will not create a silence on the topic of gender and emphasized the importance of protecting safe spaces and addressing concerns raised by campaign groups.

The Department for Education is currently reviewing responses to the consultation on supporting pupils questioning their gender and plans to publish the findings soon.