At least 70 schools across England have asked for union support to address protests against new LGBT content in relationships and sex-education lessons, according to the National Association of Head Teachers.

Rob Kelsall, a regional organiser at the NAHT, told The Sunday Times the schools had contacted the union to say  parents were trying to stop the lessons.

This comes as a letter from over 80 MPs and head teachers is published by the newspaper today, calling on education secretary Damian Hinds to launch a public information campaign over the summer. This, according to the letter, is needed to “underpin the introduction of the new relationships education in primary schools - which is crucial for preparing children for life in modern Britain”.

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‘Coordinated campaign’

On Friday, Tes reported schools in a growing number of areas were being targeted by “coordinated campaigns” attacking LGBT content is lessons, according to headteachers. Schools in areas that have not yet seen signs of such activity are becoming “anxious” about promoting equality and diversity, Tes was told.

Mr Kelsall said the union had co-chaired meetings with the DfE about the issue in London, the North West and Yorkshire.

He said: “It is true to say that reports of coordinated campaigns against schools is well in situ in places like Bradford, Bolton, Kirklees, Leeds, Tower Hamlets. Enfield came through this morning. I could go on. There is a long list of local authority areas, and local authorities that are reporting to us that this is a growing problem that they can see.”

Earlier this year, parents staged weeks of demonstrations outside Anderton Park Primary School against LGBT equality teaching.

The DfE said had “already sent resources, including mythbusters to every school in England”.