Another Birmingham school suspends lessons amid concerns from parents about relationships and sex education

Another Birmingham primary school has suspended part of its curriculum following concerns from parents about relationships and sex (RSE) education lessons.

City Road Primary School has postponed some of its Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons following enquiries about teaching pupils about “different types of families”.

It comes after at least five primary schools in Birmingham halted lessons that include information about LGBT+ relationships amid weekly protests by families who claim that children are too young to learn about same-sex couples.

Headteachers are now calling on the government to intervene amid pressure from parents who oppose the government’s reforms to RSE in all English schools.

The government’s new guidance on RSE says all pupils should be taught about LGBT+ families and how to treat LGBT+ people with respect as part of compulsory lessons from September next year.

In a letter to parents at City Road, the Inspire Education Community Trust – which runs the primary school – announced that it would postpone “some aspects of the PSHE curriculum” to allow for a consultation with parents over the next academic year.

The decision has been made amid concerns from parents about the government’s RSE guidance.

A separate letter to families in January said: “I have had enquiries from some parents regarding teaching children about different types of families.

“This aspect of the school’s curriculum is covered by the Equality Act and the Public sector equality duty which requires schools to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different groups.”

The letter added that age-appropriate stories were used in the school to teach children about “different types of families” to ensure pupils learn how to respect one another.

It comes as protests over LGBT+ relationship classes continue this week outside several Birmingham primary schools – including Anderton Park School.

Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, head of Anderton Park, told Sky News that she had written to education secretary Damian Hinds urging him to intervene as her school faces a backlash over the lessons.

And on Monday, Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former head of Ofsted, called for “strong political backing” from the government and local council to ensure the LGBT+ lessons were reinstated.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “School leaders shouldn’t have to be brave to deliver these subjects in their schools, or have to put their personal safety and wellbeing at risk.

“The government places these curriculum expectations on schools so the government must strongly back schools who are carrying out their duties.”

Last week, the vote on changes to the RSE curriculum was delayed when Conservative MP Philip Davies objected to it in a late-night Commons debate. It is unclear when the debate will be held again.

City Road Primary School has been approached for comment.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We want children to know that there are many types of people, and relationships – that’s why we are making relationships education compulsory in all primary schools from 2020.

“This will ensure pupils are taught the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds – starting with family and friends – and how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect.

“We trust headteachers to make the decision as to what is and is not appropriate for their pupils to learn. We think it’s right that schools consult parents and take their views into account when making these decisions.”