Most UK adults support LGBT-inclusive teaching in primary schools, says study

Over two thirds of people aged between 16-24 were also in favour of the move

Learning about LGBT families will be mandatory teaching in English schools from 2020 (istock)

More than half of British people support primary schools teaching LGBT-inclusive lessons, according to a new study.

The research, commissioned by the LGBT charity Stonewall and conducted by the research consultants nfpSynergy, reveals that 60 per cent of those surveyed agreed that it was right to teach children about different types of families, including same gender parents.

Data was collected nationwide from 1,000 people aged 16 and over throughout Britain in July.

However, almost one in five (17 per cent) of those surveyed said they disagreed or strongly disagreed with LGBT-inclusive teaching for primary school pupils.

The study also revealed that over two thirds (68 per cent) of those aged between 16-24 supported teachers talking positively about different kinds of families, including LGBT families.

From September 2020, a mandatory LGBT-inclusive curriculum will be rolled out to students across England. Primary school pupils will be taught about relationships, including LGBT families, while secondary school pupils will learn about sex and relationships (RSE).

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said that the government will be “supporting and backing every single school” with the roll-out.

Stonewall said that the findings indicate the progress that has been made in the 30 years since the charity was established.

The charity and campaign group was founded in protest of Section 28 – legislation introduced in 1988 which effectively prohibited discussion of same-sex relationships in schools.

Paul Twocock, chief executive of Stonewall, said: “LGBT-inclusive education is life-changing teaching for so many young people, which is why it's so powerful to see so much of the British public support the new legislation.

”We owe it to the next generation to ensure our schools are a place where all children and young people can be themselves."

Research undertaken by Stonewall in 2017 found that two in five LGBT pupils (40 per cent) were never taught anything about LGBT issues at school, while almost half (45 per cent) were bullied just for being themselves.