In England and Wales parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to withdraw their children from RE lessons and acts of Collective Worship in schools. You can also request a withdrawal from any subjects/ lessons/assemblies involving discussions on the topic of sex and relationships.

As parents you are not obliged to give a reason for requesting the withdrawal.

However, before exercising any right of withdrawal, we would recommend you discuss your concerns with the class teacher or Headteacher. 

Should a pupil be withdrawn from those learning activities/lessons, they will be directed to supplementary topic lessons instead.

Requests for withdrawals are made in writing; please see the text below as an example:

As parents of [child's name] we formally request that he/she is withdrawn from worship/RE/Sex and Relationship Education of any kind in future, without any detriment.