ONE of the least satisfactory aspects of the legal framework that governs the education system is the legal right that parents have to withdraw their children from Religious Studies (RS), and from parts of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).
The law changed in September 2020, making RSE and Health Education (HE) compulsory in English state schools. Since then, there has been a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation online, some propagated by concerned Christians, anxious that the new curriculum somehow sexualises young people and promotes sexual activity.
The RSE curriculum does not, in any way, promote sexual activity; nor does the use of the inclusive term “partner” encourage any particular sexual orientation. Rather, the teaching seeks to increase understanding and informed decision-making.
Specifically, the curriculum for Relationships Education (Primary) includes appreciation of the importance of families (in their varied forms); stable, caring, and committed relationships; understanding marriage that is intended to be lifelong; respect for others; healthy relationships; and online safety. Sex education, as such, is not compulsory in primary schools, other than what is covered in science.
IN RSE (Secondary), the curriculum includes appreciation of the importance of: committed and stable relationships and marriage; building healthy relationships; sexual consent; facts about contraception; and sexually transmitted diseases.
Government guidelines explicitly state: “Effective RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. It should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity” (Statutory Guidance, paragraph 70). You would not know this from much that appears online.
Current legislation allows parents the right to withdraw their children from some sex-related lessons in RSE, but not from sex-related aspects of RSE found within the national curriculum for science. This means that children must be taught about the biology of sex, but can be removed when it is taught within the context of relationships that accompany this biological activity.
This situation is both bizarre and confusing, and poor and contradictory wording in the official guidelines has caused some parents to assume, wrongly, that they can withdraw their child from anything that they don’t like in RSE (such as learning about periods).
For 35 years, I taught in large state comprehensive schools in England, during which I took on oversight of spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, which overlapped with key areas of PSHE. A number of these areas now form part of the RSE and HE programmes.
It became obvious to me how vital these subjects are to the well-being of young people. These lessons provide a safe place to explore some of the complex issues involved in growing up in the 21st century. They are so important that every single child should be in every single one of these lessons. It should be compulsory in every school, whether state or independent — and there should be no right to opt out.
WHAT of Religious Studies? First, it should be understood that RS does not teach faith: its job is to communicate understanding of the meaning and part played by faith(s) in the lives of people.
Although it is compulsory for all maintained schools to provide RS, it does not form part of the national curriculum. Instead, non-denominational state schools must follow a “locally agreed syllabus”.
A number of these syllabuses follow a non-statutory programme produced by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales. Faith schools and academies can devise their own programmes (although many of the latter follow the locally agreed syllabus). In independent schools, there is no specific requirement to teach RS, but there are requirements for students to be taught about religions and belief systems. Exactly where this is done is up to them.
Overall, what is clear it that there is no national programme of study for this extremely important subject.
Again, parents have the right to remove their children from RS lessons. In these cases, the law states that alternative arrangements should be made for religious education of the kind that the parent wishes their child to receive. Many parents who opt out seem unaware of this requirement.
A significant number say explicitly that there is a particular religion (usually Islam) that they do not want their child to learn about. But, in a multifaith world and nation, it is vital that the beliefs of others are understood.
There needs to be a national RS curriculum, replacing the local syllabuses. It should cover all the world faiths. It should be compulsory in every school, whether state or independent — and there should be no right to opt out.
Christian parents should look at what is taught — and, if they agree that all students need to be in these lessons, then MPs, and the Secretary of State for Education, need to hear this. They can also help if they come across other parents who are anxious, encouraging constructive and polite discussion based on what is actually taught.
Martyn Whittock is a licensed lay minister. In 2016, he retired from full-time teaching.
