The Welsh Government has adopted a new approach to the curriculum in state schools, the Curriculum for Wales, which includes teaching ‘Relationships and Sexuality Education’ (RSE). This will apply to all pupils up to school leaving age, including nursery schools, and there is no parental right to withdraw children from these lessons. This academic year, it applies to primary schools and year 7 pupils in secondary schools that have opted-in. From September 2023, it will apply to pupils in year 8 and below, rolling upwards year on year with this group.
Both the RSE Code (which sets out the framework for the teaching of the subject) and the RSE guidance contain material that may concern Christian parents. However, parents are not powerless. There are helpful laws which protect freedom of religion and the principle of respect for the role of parents. Not all the RSE content is bad and parents can encourage schools to major on what is helpful. Schools are given a lot of freedom to adapt the curriculum to suit the community they serve and they should respond positively to parents who raise concerns in a constructive way. The guidance also contains some safeguards, while other laws governing schools can further help restrain the worst teaching.
Although the automatic right to withdraw your child has been removed, this does not mean a school can indoctrinate them. For example, the Code requires secondary schools to make pupils aware of abortion but it would be a breach of the law to promote abortion as a good thing. Schools have a duty to be impartial.
Unhelpful ideas
Often it is not the explicit meaning of the RSE Code which is the problem but the underlying assumptions. These include the ideas of modern society that happiness is to be found in exploring and expressing your true inner self and that the most important aspect of sex is personal pleasure.
Parents need to be aware that this kind of thinking will likely be influencing those in charge of teaching RSE to their children. It often expresses itself in the following three areas.
Rights-based education
Christians believe we are made by God and accountable to him, finding our personal meaning within his purpose. In contrast, ‘progressive’ thinking sees us as self-created and self-defined, finding our identity and fulfilment by looking inwards, and then living that out as our ‘authentic’ selves. Anything coming from outside ourselves that limits that freedom is necessarily a bad thing. Consequently, it is suggested, children need to know how to assert their right to live out their internal feelings.
Gender ideology
Instead of understanding male or female as biological facts, gender ideology sees gender as something you feel or decide. Someone who is biologically male may be considered to actually be female or someone could be ‘non-binary’ or ‘gender-fluid’. It is therefore suggested children must be free to explore their gender identity.
Consent-only sexual ethics
Partly as a consequence of the rejection of the Christian sexual ethic, abusive sexual relationships have become widespread. This has led to greater emphasis on teaching children about the importance of consent to sexual activity. Christians can agree that abusive relationships are evil but making consent the only moral consideration for the appropriateness of sexual activity is inadequate to protect individuals, families and society from harm.
Helpful law and guidance
Despite the problems with teaching RSE, helpful laws and guidance remain in place.
Parents’ beliefs
State schools in Wales must ‘have regard to the general principle that pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.’ This doesn’t mean schools have to do everything each parent wants but it does mean they can’t simply dismiss parents’ concerns.
The Human Rights Act recognises that parents have the right to access state education for their children which is ‘in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.’ To respect parents’ beliefs and prevent indoctrination, the European Court of Human Rights has noted that state schools must provide education in an objective, critical and pluralistic way. This means pupils must be taught how to think, not what to think on issues relating to parents’ religious or philosophical convictions.
Teaching must be developmentally appropriate
The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act states that RSE ‘must be suitable for the pupil’s stage of development.’ This is helpful in protecting young people from harmful materials. Guidance states, ‘all resources’ must be ‘relevant, reputable, developmentally appropriate, inclusive and sensitive.’ This is useful in safeguarding children from being exposed to content they are not intellectually or emotionally ready for.
Teaching must be balanced
Christian views should be fairly presented alongside those of others. The Education Act 1996 forbids ‘the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject.’ According to guidance from the Welsh Government, a broad meaning of ‘partisan’ involves promoting ‘a political or ideological position on an issue which is genuinely open to different opinions.’ Contemporary debates such as the precedence given to ‘gender identity’ over biological sex are therefore included.
Engaging with schools
Engaging with schools may seem like a daunting proposition, but it needn’t be. Effective engagement begins with simple actions: taking an interest in your child’s education; participating in school events where you can; expressing appreciation. This kind of involvement can be helpful in establishing a positive relationship with the school. If you then need to express concerns over RSE, you do so as a known and respected member of the school community.
Parents should have no qualms about requesting specific information about what will be taught in RSE. They may want to view teaching materials in advance of lessons. RSE guidance expects schools to comply with this request. Parents may want to ask how RSE teaching will be respectful of their family’s beliefs. Asking these questions can help schools successfully develop their curricula.
There may be times when Christian parents need to complain to a school. In the first instance, a parent can usually raise a concern informally by speaking to a member of staff but if matters can’t be resolved at this stage, they can write to the headteacher. Following this, a parent will usually be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the complaint.
The governing body of a school is responsible for its complaints procedure. If a parent is not satisfied their complaint has been adequately resolved by the headteacher, they can escalate it to be considered by the governing body.
When making a complaint:
- Act quickly. Complaints should be raised within 10 school days of the event.
- Be polite and assertive but don’t be aggressive.
- Keep focussed. Limit your complaint to one or two key points.
- Give concrete examples and provide evidence.
- Keep a record. If you have any meetings, note down any verbal agreements made.
Making a complaint can be stressful. Remember, Christian beliefs on life, love, identity and relationships are nothing to be ashamed of. We should speak with humility but also confidence, depending on God to guide us and bless our efforts.
If any parent or education professional requires help or advice you can contact the Christian Institute’s education team on 0191 281 5664 or the Wales Officer on 07912 230 494
Useful Welsh Government links:
RSE Statutory Guidance: bit.ly/RSEWGuidance
RSE Code: bit.ly/RSECode
Guidance for Practitioners on Remaining Impartial: bit.ly/WImpartiality
Guidance on Engagement: bit.ly/WEngagement