Faith school opt-out on sex lessons attacked

The Children, Schools and Families Bill will require state schools in England and Wales to teach pupils about contraception and the

importance of stable relationships, including civil partnerships, and tackle homophobia.

But an amendment tabled by Children's Secretary Ed Balls will allow faith schools to teach such issues in a way which reflects their religious character.

Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws accused ministers of being in a "terrific muddle" over the issue, arguing that this last-minute change "completely undermines the objectives of this part of the Bill".

The amendment would allow faith schools to dodge requirements to promote equality and respect for diversity in a way which some people would consider intolerant, he said.

Mr Laws said: "The issue is, in the 21st century, are we going to have a school system which is going to be tolerant of intolerance in the name of religious freedom?"

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, of the Accord Coalition which campaigns on education said : "It is precisely because this is such an enlightened and progressive Bill that we are astonished and saddened by the fact that Mr Balls has now chosen to amend his own Bill and to effectively give faith schools an opt-out.

"If a school doesn't approve of contraception or abortion or homosexuality, then it can give that message or it can omit certain facts. We know there are some faith schools which take a very negative view."

But Mr Balls insisted that his Bill had always recognised that faith schools should be able to teach sex education "within the context and ethos of their faith".