Furious parents slam shocking study which asked 11-year-olds about gender and sexuality

However, parents have accused organisers of “premature sexualisation” of children and called for immediate action to prevent what they describe as inappropriate questioning in schools.

One outraged parent said: “11-year-olds new in big schools shouldn't be put on the spot about their gender and sexuality, let alone have to put them down in an online form.”

A second parent warned: “There is so much that could go wrong with this, aside from the inherent risks of premature sexualisation of children.”

Another said: “A lot of parents might not notice the need to opt out of this.”

The row erupted after letters were sent to parents stating their children were being invited to take part in a research study into youth wellbeing.

But many say the real focus appears to be something else entirely.

As the backlash grows, campaigners and experts have joined parents in slamming the study, accusing its organisers of using vulnerable children for ideological purposes.

Lucy Marsh, of the Family Education Trust, said: “The study uses the nonsense phrase 'sex assigned at birth', which is not based on any scientific reality and shouldn't be used with children.”

“The next question asks 11-year-old children about their sexuality, which is completely inappropriate for children this age, given that many will have yet to start puberty and may not have experienced sexual attraction.”

“This sexualises young children and puts them at risk of harm by normalising underage sexual activity.”

Ms Marsh fumed: “Many parents will not want their child being introduced to sexual content or contested ideologies, so this is a very underhand way of doing so.”

The BeeWell Parent and Carers information sheet claims the research aims to examine “wellbeing” and says there are “no significant risks or disadvantages to taking part”.

It also said that the process may help young people “reflect on their lives”.

But parents and campaigners say the real danger lies in what the children are being exposed to in school.

Clare Page, from parent-led legal campaign No Secret Lessons, said: “In the first place, the study asks children of 11+ about their sexuality and gender identity, which is both sexualising and suggestive to an age group who might not yet have given these matters any thought.”

“The fact the study provides a glossary with definitions like ‘transgender’ and ‘pansexual’ shows they know kids don’t understand – so they’re not just collecting views, they’re feeding them new ideas.”

“Parents understand schools to be places of learning, not centers for medical or therapeutic interventions.

"But there’s a growing trend of using pupils as sources for data harvesting and social engineering.”

Ms Page added: “This treats a child not as individual, but as statistics – and we should ask who this really serves: the children or the careers, political interests and funding streams of those behind the research?”

The Wellbeing Measurement for Schools programme provides identity-based surveys for pupils and staff, costing £300–£400 plus VAT per year group, helping schools monitor and support student mental health across all education levels.

In broader terms, the NHS has committed tens of millions of pounds to fund mental health support, targeting young people on waiting lists, spending more than £17million on two new gender hubs in the 2024/2025 financial year.

Campaigner, Molly Kingsley, from the group Us for Them, told the People’s Channel: “I think many parents will have huge issues with this.

Issues regarding sexuality and gender identity are strictly for parents and the family.

“It’s madness for schools or outside organizations to be touting opinion on this – especially at age 11.

"This is pre-puberty for most kids. It’s far too young, completely inappropriate.”

GB News has approached the Department for Education and BeeWell for comment.