A LEADING North East charity is hosting a free event for parents and teachers, to demystify the new LGBT+ inclusive relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum.
Northern Pride will launch its Pride in Schools campaign, sponsored by Your Homes Newcastle, with a panel discussion on 24 October at Benfield School, Newcastle from 5pm to 7:30pm.
The event, which is the first of four, will provide information about the new guidelines coming into place in September 2020, to include teaching pupils about sexual orientation, gender identity and different types of families.
Parents and teachers will hear from Jo Dixon of the Rainbow Flag Award, which has an LGBT+ framework for schools and colleges, Debs Hickling-Walker, who works with trans young people at the Trinity Youth Association and Sarah Carr, PSHE lead at Benfield School – which already includes LGBT+ education in its curriculum.
Also joining the panel is Nicola Johnson, PSHE lead for Central Walker Church of England Primary and Nimerta Virdee, a regional officer at Diversity Role Models, which provides inclusive training for educators and parents.
The discussion will be led by Lou Liddle-McGhee, family and youth engagement manager at Northern Pride and a history teacher at Benfield School, who also runs a weekly LGBT+ group for students.
“We are thrilled that the government voted in favour of introducing LGBT+ inclusive education to the RSE guidelines but we also recognise that there will be people who are confused as to what this involves,” said Lou.
“The curriculum hasn’t been updated since 2000 so the updates are long overdue and all of the material will be age appropriate, starting with looking at different types of families at primary school level.
“We’re inviting parents and teachers to attend our event and learn a bit more about what the new guidelines cover and how best to support students when it comes into place next year.”
The event is open to all North East parents and teachers but places must be reserved in advance at www.northern-pride.com/box-office.
There are three more sessions planned over the next year, with the second to take place in January and cover LGBT+ history, ahead of the national LGBT+ History Month campaign in February.
For more information about Northern Pride, visit www.northern-pride.com or search Northern Pride on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.