Schools in Manchester have received letters from parents concerned about new sex and relationships lessons which could see children being taught about LGBT equality and rights from the age of four.

The Manchester Evening News understands schools - including William Hulme in Whalley Range and MEA Central in Levenshulme - have been contacted by people worried about teaching being overhauled following the publication of new government guidelines.

It comes after some people branded new lessons about LGBT issues at a Birmingham school 'toxic' and 'disgusting' during a protest.

The 'No Outsider' programme was rolled out in a number of schools in the Midlands following a government revamp of the curriculum, which encourages teachers to challenge homophobia and inform children about the LGBT community.

An academy trust in Birmingham has suspended the lessons. Scores of parents claimed they 'promoted homosexual behaviour'.

Headlines about the protests now appear to have sparked concern among some Manchester parents; anxious over what the newly-issued government guidance will mean for their kids when it comes into force in September next year.

Parkfield Community School in Birmingham which has suspended lessons about diversity and LGBT issues after they triggered weekly parents' protests

Schools in our city have been contacted by parents asking for their children not to be taught about same sex couples.

No schools in Manchester - or the wider region - are understood to run the 'No Outsider' programme, but parents have expressed their concern following the new Department for Education (DfE) guidance.

Bosses, by law, must teach 'relationships education' and 'sex and relationships education'.

The government says that going forward, children must be taught about LGBT issues as part of those lessons.

One LGBT activist, who is liaising with schools, said the new guidelines are about informing kids about 'relationships and the existence of the LGBT community'.

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Bosses at MEA Central told the M.E.N. they had called a meeting with parents.

A letter addressed to headteachers is understood to have been sent around a Whatsapp group of more than 250 people in Manchester.

Levenshulme businessman Shebby Gujjar Khan has drafted a 'template letter' for parents to sign and send to headteachers.

In a Facebook post he said: "We had a very productive meeting today at the office, in relation to the new curriculum where they will start teaching kids about LGBT from the age of five and teaching sex education from this age too.

William Hulme Grammar School

"Parents being stripped of their rights is not acceptable, sexualising children from a young age is morally wrong."

Government guidance, issued in February, states that 'at the point where schools consider it appropriate', they can teach pupils about LGBT equality and rights.

"They should ensure that this content is fully integrated into their programmes of study for this area of the curriculum, rather than delivered as a standalone unit or lesson," it says.

"Schools are free to determine how they do this, and we expect all pupils to have been taught as part of this area of the curriculum."

The guidance also states that individual schools are required to make a statement of policy on their provision of relationships education and sex and relationship education, and set out the circumstances in which a pupil can be excused.


Jeremy Hoad, organiser of Levenshulme Pride, plans to hold an 'informative' local meeting to open a discussion about what the change might involve and said he is in discussion with a number of schools.

"These schools are not teaching about sex, they are teaching about relationships and the existence of the LGBT community," he said.

"A lot of the information coming out at the moment is incorrect and divisive. I am preparing a public meeting to resume the balance in the community and provide accurate information about what this actually means.

"What I want to do is get all the information and open up a conversation so people can be informed and reassured.

"The worst that can happen is to have a void of misinformation."

MEA Central in Fallowfield

William Hulme Primary school confirmed it had received five letters from parents 'asking for information' about the government's curriculum overhaul.

A spokesperson said there had been no protests or petitions and that parents had entered into amicable discussions with the school.

A spokesperson for MEA Central said: "We are committed to our values of citizenship, achievement and participation and fostering an inclusive ethos, which values and addresses the differences and needs of the communities we serve.


"We have recently held a meeting to discuss the concerns some parents had about new government legislation and the possibility that they won't be able to withdraw their children from SRE lessons.

"They were reassured that we will fully inform and consult them when we come to deliver SRE education.

"We have very supportive parents who believe in our vision of 'a fantastic future for all', and we continue to work closely with all stake holders as we continue to develop a knowledge-rich curriculum for our growing school." 

Claremont Primary School bosses declined to comment.

Manchester council's education chief Coun Luthfur Rahman said: "The vast majority of Manchester schools have been successfully teaching relationship education for some time and continue to do so.   

"We understand a small number of parents have expressed concerns about the content of the new DfE curriculum. 

"Those schools are working with their parents to allay any concerns.

"Manchester is a diverse and welcoming city that embraces many different faiths and cultures. 

"We want all our children and young people to grow up understanding and respecting differences between people and to recognise their own role in responding positively to that diversity."

What is the new government guidance?

From September next year, primary and secondary school pupils in England will learn about relationships, keeping safe online and looking after their mental health as part of compulsory lessons.

Primary children will be taught how to look after their own mental wellbeing and how to recognise when their classmates might be struggling.

Other topics will include how getting enough sleep and spending time outdoors and with friends is important; the risks of excessive use of electronic devices; age-appropriate online safety; the importance of respect; and the risks of talking to people on the internet who they don't know in real life.

Secondary school pupils will be taught how to spot the signs of common mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression; how to discuss their emotions; and the impact of alcohol and drugs on physical and mental health.

Lessons will also cover online safety, such as the risks of sharing private photos; and how the internet can promote an unhealthy view of sex and relationships.

The guidance says that pupils need to understand 'that some people are LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender], that this should be respected in British society, and that the law affords them and their relationships recognition and protections."

It adds: "Schools should make decisions about what it is appropriate to teach on this subject and when, based on the age, development and religious backgrounds of their pupils, and should involve their parents in these decisions."