Defiant rabbis representing Orthodox Jewish communities in Britain have issued a statement refusing to teach LGBT-related issues in its member schools. Representing Charedi education in the UK, the rabbinate stated that their schools would "not describe to pupils lifestyles prohibited by the Torah".

Chinuch UK, set up two years ago to protect its schools and pupils from Ofsted, said it was responding to recent communications to Charedi schools from the Department for Education regarding the introduction of lessons in LGBT awareness.

If asked by Ofsted inspectors about the implementation of a new curriculum that teaches about LGBT groups, the schools have been advised to "state clearly and respectfully that they do not cover these subjects". Moreover, the rabbis will instruct their schools to "ensure that inspectors do not speak to pupils about these matters at all".

Although Charedi schools would "demonstrate that pupils are taught to act respectfully to all people regardless of difference", the statement said that the attempt to force LGBT lessons on pupils would not be in keeping with "parental wishes" and Jewish "religious values".

Signed by nine senior Rabbanim, the public statement is part of the ongoing battle to protect religious and parental freedoms in British schools.

"Forcing religious groups to compromise their cherished beliefs"

John Smeaton, SPUC Chief Executive said:

"It is a positive sign that at least one religious community is showing some backbone in the defence of its religious principles. Other religious leaders should take note and bravely oppose the attempts by the state to corrupt children and to disregard the wishes of parents who want to protect their children from false teachings about human sexuality as well as to defend them from abortion and contraception."

The ongoing battle to protect religious and parental freedoms in schools

It is now mandatory that secondary schools, including faith schools, teach the new subject of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). Although parents may request that their children not take part, the headteacher makes the final decision unless the child has reached the age of fifteen in which case the pupil makes the final decision. There is "no specific requirement" that primary schools "cover LGBT content".

While the Catholic Education Service has said that the government’s new policy was "compatible with the Catholic model curriculum", Jewish schools and rabbis are resisting the government legislation.

Chinuch UK believed that it had reached an accommodation with Ofsted that would not see their member schools seriously penalised for failing to comply with LGBT requirements due to come into force in September. It was also thought that primary schools would be exempt from the new requirements.

However, after recent communications with Jewish schools, Chinuch UK clearly believes that any failure to comply with recent statutory guidance, released in 2019, is likely to result in an Ofsted rating of "inadequate".