Responding to the RSHE Consultation – do not let the opportunity pass by!
Many woke up on Friday, 5 July 2024 thinking about the outcome of the General Election and as the results were made known, perhaps, their minds filled with ‘what ifs’ and their thoughts full of doubts and fears.
Yet for those of the Lord’s people whom He has placed upon the earth at this time to serve, sacrifice and suffer in following Him, the everlasting arms are still underneath, the Lord God Omnipotent still reigneth (can we not add our Alleluia (Revelation 19:6) and as Moses declares Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psalm 90:2).
Might we be given help, strength and faith to look to the Lord, who in His Sovereignty rules over all things, and the truth and promises of the Word of God concerning the days of trouble before us (Psalm 50:15).
One trouble that lays heavy upon us is the battle that is being and continues to be fought for the minds of our children and young people. This battle was heightened with the introduction of the Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance published in June 2019. The publication and introduction into the curriculum of RSHE raised many concerns for Christians, particularly those relating to the God-dishonouring ideologies, contrary to biblical teaching, that were being promoted and taught. The age appropriateness of materials being used and the exposing of children to subjects/topics that their minds were not able to assimilate was also of concern. Furthermore, there was an erosion of the principle that parents are responsible for the education of their children. Allied to this was, in some cases, schools withholding from parents access to the materials being used. Mercifully, the Lord did raise up voices both within and outside government to make known concerns over what was happening in the teaching of RSHE. We were also thankful for the moves by government, in recent years, to address some of these concerns.
On Thursday, 16 May 2024, the government announced a review of the RSHE statutory guidance which closes on Thursday, 11 July 2024. Little did we know that there would be a general election before this deadline. Although there was much to encourage Christians in the RSHE consultation document, there is still need for parents, grandparents, teachers, governors and other interested parties to make their views known. We would appeal especially to those with children who may not yet be of school age, in view of what your children may be taught in RSHE, to respond to this consultation. Rest assured, there will be responses from organisations and other individuals that will want to curtail any changes and promote their humanistic/secular viewpoints. One such organisation is the “Sex Education Forum” – please take the time to visit their website and see the views expressed on the webpage “Guide to the RSHE consultation”.
There is still time to make your voice heard and respond to the consultation – will you not do so? Out of a concern for your children, grandchildren, those you teach, those who are responsible as a governor or generally concerned about the well-being of children and young people. The consultation documents can be found here:
RESPOND HERE: RSHE statutory guidance online response form 1
Other sources of information:
General Background
CViE New RSHE guidance released – consultation open
Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) RSHE Guidance: Is the tide turning?
Supporting material to respond to the consultation response form
[Note: it is important that responses are made in your own words as there is a danger where with similar wording is used, this may be discounted]
Christian Institute Information sheet on how to respond to the RSHE consultation
Christian Concern Say no to inappropriate Sex Education
1 Although an MS Word version of the response form is available, the time remaining for the consultation may prohibit obtaining and returning the form by post.
