Political impartiality in schools is a “complaint I’m hearing more and more”, the Education Secretary has said as he urged headteachers to take the issue seriously.

Nadhim Zahawi told the Conservative party conference that “none of us want to stop children learning about politics, quite the opposite”, but added that some were “keen to either shut down free speech, or to only present one side of an opinion”.

He is the second cabinet minister this week to speak out on the issue of politics in the classroom, with Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister, making similar comments on Thursday.

Mr Zahawi said: “We all know that political issues are complicated and often sensitive. And this is especially the case in schools where children start questioning the world and wondering why things are the way they are. 

“This can include questions about our history, how to tackle climate change, all the way through to the contested views on race and identity issues.”