Statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) downgraded parental rights. In primary schools, parents were able to withdraw from Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). Now that Relationships Education is statutory, parents in primary schools can only withdraw from sex education classes.

The picture in secondary schools is similar to primary schools. Historically parents had the right to withdraw from SRE (Sex and Relationships Education) classes unconditionally. Now parents can request withdrawal from the Sex Education element of RSE but cannot withdraw from the Relationships Education part. The head teacher holds the power to reject a request to withdraw, and if the request is accepted it only lasts until a child turns 15. After which a child – not you – the parent, has the right to decide whether to remain withdrawn or not.

Whilst the law recognises that parents are the primary educators of their children, statutory RSE has handed over the vital role of instilling values to schools. We believe parents know best, whilst the government believes the state knows best. This is an intrusion into the rights of the family. Schools will become less safer spaces for Muslim children who want to express the Islamic position on marriage, sexual relationships and ‘LGBT’. There are also no clear safeguards to protect our children from ‘inappropriate resources’, and parents will be forced to rely on the goodwill of schools and to fight for their basic right to raise our children in line with our values. Schools are failing to fulfil their statutory duty to meaningfully consult parents and parents are forced to organise and challenge. The power dynamic is weighted in favour of schools.

There is evidence that a growing number of Muslim parents do not feel that schools are safe places for children. There are many more parents opting to homes educate or send their children to Muslim schools. Is it right that Muslims are being driven out of the very schools that we pay for through our taxes?

The statutory guidance which is meant to clarify how schools should plan and deliver these new subjects is vague and subject to interpretation. Some schools are telling parents they do not have a statutory duty to consult with parents, primary schools are incorrectly claiming that they have a legal duty to cover LGBT relationships and to teach the names of sexual body parts to children in year one. This is creating immense distress, worry and anger. People were rightly concerned with the protests outside Birmingham schools but were unwilling to look at what caused desperate parents to protest in the first place. Parents felt that the schools were unwilling to listen to them and there was a lack of consultation. The new regulations and guidance increase the chances of more protests outside schools. Something which no one wants to see.