An Orthodox Jewish activist argues that under Jewish law only parents should teach about sex

Thousands of Jews will leave Britain unless ministers back down from forcing faith schools to teach children about gay and transgender relationships and same-sex families, it has been claimed.

The Orthodox Jewish activist Shraga Stern has instructed lawyers to write to the education secretary, Damian Hinds, warning that draft government guidance requiring independent schools “to teach about homosexuality, same-sex relationships and gender reassignment” is “morally unacceptable and unlawful”.

The move pits Stern’s 70,000-strong Charedi Jewish community against school inspectors. Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools, said teaching children about being gay or transgender was a requirement of the 2010 Equality Act and faith schools were not exempt.

“We know a gay child might be born into any town, any family, any time,” she said.