Parents are the primary educators of the children
Your Parental Rights and religious rights are enshrined within the law
Parents also have a right to ensure that their religious and philosophical beliefs are respected during their children’s education.
“In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.”(The human rights act Protocol 1, Article 2: Right to education)
Parents are the primary educators and first educators of children
Schools support and parents in the area of RE/RSE, they do not replace the role of parents. Schools must accept that parents raise children and not schools
“We are clear that parents and carers are the prime educators for children on many of these matters. Schools complement and reinforce this role and have told us that they see building on what pupils learn at home as an important part of delivering a good education.”
(Page 4, Statutory Guidance)
“Parents are the first teachers of their children. They have the most significant influence in enabling their children to grow and mature and to form healthy relationships.”
(Page 17, Statutory Guidance)
Your right to be consulted on the policy – their plans for teaching RSE including providing samples of schemes of work and resources.
Schools have a statutory responsibility to ensure they consult parents before finalising their policy. The policy has to meet the needs of parents as well as pupils as well as the community the school serves. Your opinions must be taken into consideration.
“All schools must have in place a written policy for Relationships Education and RSE. Schools must consult parents in developing and reviewing their policy. Schools should ensure that the policy meets the needs of pupils and parents and reflects the community they serve.”
(Page 11, Statutory Guidance)
Schools should work alongside parents when planning and delivering these subjects
“All schools should work closely with parents when planning and delivering these subjects.”
(Page 17, Statutory Guidance)
Schools have to show that they have factored in the age and religious background of pupils when making decisions about the resources they use
“Schools must also ensure that their teaching and materials are appropriate having regard to the age and religious backgrounds of their pupils.”
(Page 24, Statutory Guidance)
Right to withdraw from Sex Education
Absolute right to withdraw in Primary if the school teaches Sex education and in Secondary – until 3 terms before your child turns 16, at which point the decision is your child’s- Withdrawal must be requested and subject to head teacher approval.