Children, Young People & Skills Committee

Agenda Item   69b

Subject:                    Member Questions

Date of meeting:    7 March 2022

The question will be answered without discussion. The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion. The person to whom a question, or supplementary question, has been put may decline to answer it.

The following written questions have been received from Members:

(1) Councillor McNair

According to the Daily Mail on 6th February 2022, “The Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has sent officials to investigate Brighton and Hove Council over reports that 'concerning' race theories are being taught in schools run by the Green-led local authority.”  The Education Secretary has subsequently provided guidance to schools on how to approach the topic of racism.

1. Have Education officials started investigating the Council?

2. What kind of investigation is it?

3. Where does it sit in the legislative framework?

4. What feedback has been provided, or do you expect to be provided, to the council by the Department for Education?

5. How will the new guidance to schools on teaching racism affect the current teacher training material?

6. Is the Council concerned that its material might be breaking the Equalities Act?

7. Will the Local Authority be suspending its teacher training material while the Department for Education investigates its teacher training resources?