New DfE Guidance: Political Impartiality in Schools

How teachers and staff in schools should consider political impartiality in their work

Following an incident in a Nottingham school where children were encouraged to criticise the Prime Minister in letter during a lesson, schools in England are being reminded under new guidance to teach sensitive issues in a non-biased way.

The new guidance Political Impartiality in Schools was published on February 17th this year and explains the existing legal requirements relating to political impartiality in schools. It will also help those working with and in schools to understand how these legal duties might impact teaching and extra-curricular activity. It does not include any new statutory requirements.

There is also a warning against teachers expressing their own views, although Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi says no subject should be off-limits, but teaching must be impartial.

Discussing Political Views in Class

Under the 1996 Education Act, the promotion of partisan political views in class is unlawful meaning that where teachers present controversial political views in a lesson, they must offer a balanced overview of opposing views. This covers many of the policies of political parties, as well as some views held by campaign groups, lobbyists, charitable organisations and other external agencies.

Teachers can discuss partisan political views and explore them with pupils. This will be an important part of teaching about many historical and political issues.

Teachers and staff will need to use their own reasonable judgement when it comes to balance. It is preferable, where practical, to present pupils with a reasonable range of views on a political issue. This doesn’t mean that different views are always given equal time in teaching or cannot be critically assessed.

When taking steps to ensure balance you should not do anything that would be clearly inappropriate or undermine effective teaching.

You should also continue to challenge misinformation and extreme views, such as those based on discrimination and prejudice.

Identifying Political Issues

Decisions on what to teach will be driven by what teachers feel should be covered in order to teach the subject properly. Identifying political issues in teaching when planning a curriculum or specific lessons, will help ensure these are taught effectively and appropriately. This guidance should help illustrate what might constitute a political issue, but ultimately this will require teachers to continue to use their own judgement.

Political issues are particularly important to cover in certain subjects, for example, citizenship or history. However, this might also be necessary for other subjects where there are fewer and less obvious political issues in the curriculum.

Some topics may not directly require the presentation of a political issue, but teaching may lead to presenting political issues that relate indirectly to the curriculum content.

Balance in Teaching

Teachers and staff should interpret schools’ legal duties relating to balance, using their reasonable judgement. They should not take a mechanistic approach to ensure a balanced presentation of opposing views.

It is preferable, where practical, to present pupils with a reasonable range of views on a political issue in the interest of balance and effective teaching. This means at least two significantly different perspectives, rather than several views that are only marginally different.

Sensitive Political Issues

Some political issues will be more sensitive than others. It is important to remember that schools are free to include a full range of issues, ideas, and appropriate materials including where they are challenging and controversial.

Schools should focus on the needs of their pupils when deciding how to teach about controversial subjects. They should also be mindful of their responsibility to promote respect and tolerance, including actively promoting fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

Expressing Personal Opinions

There is no blanket prohibition on teachers and staff expressing their own views on political issues that are being taught to pupils. However, there is a risk that doing so could sometimes amount to promoting a partisan political view or compromise the balanced presentation of opposing views. Teachers and staff are in a position of authority and will typically be respected and trusted by the pupils they teach, giving their personal opinions greater weight and credibility.

As a general principle, they should avoid expressing their own personal political views to pupils unless they are confident this will not amount to promoting that view to pupils.

During Political Events

During periods of heightened political activity and sensitivity, including around elections or in the aftermath of significant political events, staff should be mindful to avoid activity within the school that could be construed as promoting a particular partisan view.

Teachers and staff can continue to discuss political issues, including political parties, movements, and protests, that may be relevant to pupils. This must be done in a balanced manner and not involve promoting partisan political views on the issue.

Secretary of State Foreword

Schools play an important role in preparing children and young people for life in modern Britain, and teaching them about the society and world they grow up in. At school, children and young people are often first exposed to important political issues. Some of these issues might define their future, proving to be the building blocks of a passion which goes on to shape their longer-term interests and career. Teaching about political issues, the different views people have, and the ways pupils can engage in our democratic society is an essential part of a broad and balanced curriculum. It is an important way in which schools support pupils to become active citizens who can form their own views, whilst having an understanding and respect for legitimate differences of opinion. Over the last few years, there has been much discussion about political impartiality in schools, often in the context of specific political issues and movements. I know that this has at times been difficult for school leaders, teachers, and staff, as they navigate how to handle and teach about these complex issues sensitively and appropriately. That is why I’m pleased this government is publishing clear guidance explaining schools’ existing legal duties on political impartiality. I hope this guidance can offer assurance to most schools that their legal duties in this area are being met without issue. For other schools, the guidance should help them put in place the necessary processes to ensure adherence going forward. Legal duties on political impartiality ultimately help schools command the confidence of our whole diverse and multi-opinioned society. Parents and carers want to be sure that their children can learn about political issues and begin to form their own independent opinions, without being influenced by the personal views of those teaching them. I know teachers themselves feel similarly. Where concerns do arise, from parents and carers, or others in the school community, it is important that these are treated seriously and handled with the necessary sensitivity. Importantly, I hope this guidance helps all parties to understand how schools should go about meeting their legal duties, allowing issues to be resolved through constructive dialogue and agreement rather than unnecessary escalation. I encourage everyone to read through this guidance, and to keep in mind that in most cases simple steps can be taken to address any issues relating to political impartiality that arise. It is also important to remember that nothing in this guidance limits schools’ freedom to teach about sensitive, challenging, and controversial political issues, as they consider appropriate and necessary. Schools should also continue to reinforce important shared principles that underpin our society, whether that be upholding democratic rights or more generally promoting respect and tolerance. Understanding where views and opinions go further than this and where the legal duties on political impartiality may be relevant, is an important part of doing this effectively. Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP Secretary of State for Education