15 May 2024 , 15:37
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Headteachers have warned that imposing age limits on sex education will prevent schools from countering myths and harmful content children find online.
The Government is unveiling long-awaited guidance banning sex education for pupils under nine. From Year 5 onwards, primary school teachers will focus on sex as from a scientific standpoint only.
Under the new guidance, which will be legally binding, parents will have a right to see what their children are being taught. Ministers will also insist that gender identity is a "contested subject" that should not be taught.
But secondary school pupils can learn about LGBT+ relationships and gender reassignment, which are protected by law. There will also additional guidance on the risks of viewing online content that promotes suicide and self harm, as well sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Sex education is already compulsory in secondary schools in England, while primary school pupils are taught "key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships". The guidance was ordered last year after Rishi Sunak came under pressure from Tory MPs over reports of inappropriate content being taught in schools.
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Conservative backbencher Miriam Cates, a former biology teacher, has been leading the push, telling MPs last year that children are given "graphic lessons on oral sex" and how to choke your partner safely. Her claims were contested at the time by teaching unions.
The Prime Minister said: "Parents rightly trust that when they send their children to school, they are kept safe and will not be exposed to disturbing content that is inappropriate for their age.
"That’s why I was horrified to hear reports of this happening in our classrooms last year. I will always act swiftly to protect our children and this new guidance will do exactly that, while supporting teachers to teach these important topics sensitively and giving parents access to curriculum content if they wish.”
Teaching unions warned against treating children as a "political football" in the Tory culture wars and said they were not consulted on the new guidance. Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools have had to reassess how sex education is delivered due to the "plague of inappropriate images on social media".
He said: "Whilst we welcome the chance to look at this, we also need the flexibility to respond to whatever those needs are.
"That needs to be supported by clarity in terms of the guidance and also an idea that that guidance has come from evidence-based research, not just something that's been swayed by backbenchers who feel it's important for them to gain political points."
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said it would be "irresponsible" to shut down conversations on such important issues. He said: "Primary-aged children pick up information online and need the opportunity to discuss puberty and relationships and their bodies with trusted adults."
NAHT boss Paul Whiteman said lack of proper sex education risked pushing youngsters towards "less reliable sources". He added: "We cannot ignore the fact that some children and young people are already accessing information from different sources outside of school. This may lead to questions that need careful handling from trained professionals.”
Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Academy, said that 13-years-old was "too late" to learn about pornography as children may have already seen such images online. "Trust teachers. Teachers are wise. They know the children," he told Times Radio. "They do appropriate things. Let's not over-police them."