Fears over new English Code for teachers

Wednesday, 25th February 2009
By Paolo Gallini

A campaigning group is warning that a new draft Code of Conduct and Practice for teachers in England produced by the General Teaching Council for England in November 2008 could lead to tensions in the classroom.

According to Christian Concern for Our Nation (CCFON), the new guidelines will require teachers to “promote equality and diversity in all their professional relationships” in Principle 4.

CCFON says that this implies that teachers will be required to promote other religions and/or sexual practices outside marriage and it could lead to censorship. “We believe that teachers should be required to respect pupils, parents and colleagues from other backgrounds, but should not be required to promote other religions and sexual orientations such as homosexuality that are contrary to their beliefs. the rest