Strictly Orthodox leaders have distanced themselves from the Chief Rabbi's guidance on LGBT+ pupils, saying it applies only to schools under his authority.

In a document unprecedented for Orthodox schools, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said they should have an explicit policy to look after LGBT+ students and have measures in place to prevent bullying.

But the rabbinic committee of Chinuch UK, the new campaign group established to defend the strictly Orthodox educational system, stressed they would provide their own directions, in a memo circulated before Rosh Hashanah.

Rabbi Mirvis’s guidance was “relevant only to schools that fall under the authority of the Chief Rabbi,” the letter said.

Charedi schools have increasingly experienced problems from Ofsted inspectors who believe they should mention same-sex relationships in class as part of teaching “British values” of respect and tolerance for others.

But many of the schools argue that they do not address issues of sexuality at all in the classroom.

The rabbinic authorities for Chinuch UK, which represent strictly Orthodox communities in London, Gateshead and Manchester, are grappling with the issue of how to reconcile their religious ethos with the requirements of the secular inspectorate.

A series of briefings for school leaders is planned for after the festivals.

While the situation regarding education was “precarious”, the memo said many “constructive” discussions had taken place with Ofsted and the Department for Education.

While discussions were “difficult”, Chinuch UK remained hopeful of an outcome that would allow schools to continue operating according to their religious values and “within the law”.