Parents and staff of a school at the centre of a sex education storm have been urged to come together amid fears that protests are fuelling hate and division.

Parkfield Community School in Birmingham will reportedly continue teaching about LGBT relationships after Easter.

The school had always planned on returning to its No Outsiders programme next term after a planned break from the inclusiveness and diversity lessons.

It was reported the school was temporarily ceasing the lessons following protests from parents who argue they are against their faith.

It has also been reported that more than 300 parents have signed a petition against the No Outsiders programme, after some took the decision last week to withdraw their children from school in protest.

Birmingham city councillor John Cotton said: "We remain concerned at the continued protests by parents of Parkfield School and urge both the school and parents to come together in the spirit of co-operation in the best interests of the children.

"Parkfield School is an academy, but in spite of the restrictions this places upon the council's scope to act, officers have been closely involved in supporting Parkfield and its staff.

"We are working with the Regional Schools Commissioner - which is responsible for academies - to address this issue.

"Whilst we recognise that parents have concerns, continuing protests only serve to attract extreme fringe movements taking an opportunity to further messages of division and hate.

"In recent days, we have been appalled to see attempts to divide the people of our city by using insulting and incendiary language targeting the LGBT community.

"This has no place in our city. Birmingham is a place of tolerance and mutual respect, where people of all faiths and none, all sexualities, all ethnicities, come together in pursuit of a common aim."

Last month, Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman backed the teacher who started the scheme.

Assistant head teacher Andrew Moffat has made the final of the Global Teacher Prize for his efforts to teach diversity.

Christian and Muslim parents have claimed the lessons promote the personal beliefs of Mr Moffat, who is gay.

But Ms Spielman said it was important for children to learn about all aspects of society.

Mr Moffat also runs a Parkfield Ambassadors after-school club that creates opportunities for children at his school - where 99% of students are Muslim - to meet people from different races, religions and cultures around Birmingham.

While not quoted in the article, he tweeted links to it, appearing to confirm the No Outsiders lessons will resume after Easter.