PA
An MP has slammed draft guidelines from Ofsted which asks students - potentially as young as five - whether they identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
West Norfolk MP, Elizabeth Truss, said she was 'shocked' at the draft data which a school teacher passed on to her local newspaper, the Lynn News.
Ofsted insists the questions will not be asked of younger pupils, but Ms Truss says they are not 'appropriate' questions to be asked of school children at all, and she will be raising her objections with the Department for Education.
Ofsted refuted claims it was to ask children of five about their sexual persuasion, with spokesman insisting:
'It is about schools being aware of the different groups of pupils attending their schools who need additional support if they are to make better progress. Our aim is to ensure schools are doing all they can to ensure all groups of pupils reach their full potential.
'These groups could differ depending on the nature and type of school and Ofsted does not have a prescriptive list. There is absolutely no suggestion here that teachers should classify young children as gay, lesbian or transsexual.'
What do you think?
Do Ofsted NEED to categorise pupils at all?
Is Ms Truss right to be outraged?