What Christian parents should know about the new sex and relationships education guidance

James Mildred explains the main pros and cons of the new government legislation on sex and relationships education

The government has finally published new, statutory guidance on the delivery of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in primary and secondary schools. It replaces earlier guidance from 2019 and is due to come into force from September 2026. Here is what parents should know.

In the Christian worldview, parents have the primary responsibility to raising children. Some parents choose to devolve some of this responsibility to teachers and schools, without abandoning it completely. Others prefer Christian schooling or home schooling. Whatever option, the fundamental point remains: God has granted primary authority and responsibility for children to their parents.

When it comes to RSHE, Christian parents are rightly concerned because it is a subject area where orthodox, historic, Christian teaching challenges and contradicts attitudes and beliefs in contemporary society.

For some time there has also been growing alarm at the content of RSHE lessons

Since 2020 when the law changed, primary schools must teach ……