HEREFORDSHIRE councillors have been told they have no power to intervene or challenge a school’s relationships and sex education policy (RSE).

Requests had been made that the standing advisory council for religious education committee (SACRE) discuss RSE policies at today’s (March 12) meeting.

But council officers told councillors the issues are beyond the committee’s remit.

This comes after council leaders raised serious concerns over a sex and relationship resource which is being taught at St Mary’s Roman Catholic High School in Lugwardine.

The Catholic sex and relationship resource A Fertile Heart, which has the approval of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, says contraception is wrong, that gay and lesbian people cannot marry and must abstain from sex.

It also says that men were ‘created to initiate sexual relationships’ and women to be ‘receiver-responders’.

Zoe Powles, council lawyer, said: “SACRE committee does not have the power to intervene or challenge a schools RSE policy.

“SACRE is only able to advise on religious education/collective worship in community or foundation schools which do not have a religious character, or the religious education given in accordance with an agree syllabus.

“It has no powers to challenge or intervene on the matter specifically of an SRE policy which remains the school’s choice.

“Due to some queries that this issue be requested to be put on this agenda.

“Clarity is given on what the remit of the SACRE committee is.”

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Councillor Jennie Hewitt expressed her frustration at not being able to discuss the issue.

“I just want to say what is happening is the elephant in the room which we have been told we can’t legally discuss,” she said.

Pat Burbidge, who is the chair of governors at St Mary’s and the Roman Catholic representative on the committee, sent his apologies and did not attend the meeting.

Headteacher Stuart Wetson, previously said St Mary’s is a Catholic school and their relationships and sex education policy is inspired by religious teachings of the Roman Catholic faith.

“In accordance with the Department for Education’s guidance on Relationships and Sex Education, we are committed to providing our pupils with opportunities for broad and balanced debate on a range of issues whilst teaching distinctive faith perspectives on relationships.

“We continue to review and evaluate our practice, sharing feedback from teachers, pupils and parents with the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the publishers of key resources.

“Please see our most recent Ofsted and Section 48 Inspection reports, which comment directly on our ‘Outstanding’ provision in all areas.”

The Archdiocese of Cardiff has still not responded to requests for comment.