Inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics in schools
Guidance for inspectors on inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics during school inspections.
Applies to England
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Some schools have raised questions about what they should teach in relation to the ‘protected characteristics’ in the Equality Act 2010, particularly the sexual orientation and gender reassignment characteristics.
This guidance explains Ofsted’s approach on inspection to evaluating how schools go about meeting their duties.
Updates to this page
Published 17 September 2020Last updated 31 August 2023 + show all updates
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Restructured sections and headings for clarity. Updated terminology to ensure consistent use across Ofsted guidance and handbooks, and to represent current practice and Department for Education relationships and sex education guidance more faithfully. Added clarification on the processes that inspectors should follow. Removed references to COVID-19.
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We have made two minor amendments to the impact assessment to reflect what the published guidance on inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics sets out about the personal development judgement. The amendments are in the ‘Brief outline of guidance’ and the ‘Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act’ sections.
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Clarifies DfE’s requirements around implementing teaching of relationships and sex education (RSE) in the light of the disruption to and partial closure of schools caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Removed references to the ‘interim phase’ and updated the section about interim visits to maintained schools and academies.
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First published.