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Parents have said that children should be taught sex education in secondary schools after a furious row broke out today over the Government's proposal to ban the topic for children under the age of nine.
A furious row broke out today over the Government's proposed sex education ban for children aged under nine.
Schools are set to be told not to teach children sex education until pupils are aged nine and over, with explicit conversations delayed until they are aged 13, reports suggest.
The revised guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, is also expected to tell schools to avoid proactively teaching children about gender identity and instead explain the 'biological' facts about sex.
School heads and MPs have criticised the proposals being brought forward. Concerned parents have also weighed in, alleging the current teachings are both 'age appropriate' and 'important'.
![Children should receive sex education when they start secondary school, one father has claimed. He said: 'At 13 years old you're into the second, third year of secondary school so you've got access to too much stuff at that age already, so I'd say, a bit earlier than that'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/20/84922847-13422215-Children_should_receive_sex_education_when_they_start_secondary_-m-44_1715800068761.jpg)
Children should receive sex education when they start secondary school, one father has claimed. He said: 'At 13 years old you're into the second, third year of secondary school so you've got access to too much stuff at that age already, so I'd say, a bit earlier than that'
![Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will unveil proposals tomorrow for a total ban on the subject for infant children, with lessons not permitted to start until at least Year Five](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/19/84867867-13422215-Education_Secretary_Gillian_Keegan_will_unveil_proposals_tomorro-a-40_1715799151740.jpg)
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will unveil proposals tomorrow for a total ban on the subject for infant children, with lessons not permitted to start until at least Year Five
One father, speaking today, said that he believes sex education should be taught in secondary schools.
'I'd say rather, at the end of primary school, beginning of secondary school would be the better time to tell them,' he explained.
'At 13 years old you're into the second, third year of secondary school so you've got access to too much stuff at that age already, so I'd say, a bit earlier than that.'
The Department for Education (DfE) has not yet published a consultation on revised RSHE guidance. But reports indicate the guidance will state explicit conversations about contraception, sexually transmitted infections and abortion should not take place until Year 9, according to reports.
Since September 2020, relationships and sex education has been compulsory in secondary schools in England, while relationships education has been compulsory in primary schools.
One mother said today that she feels the proposed sex education ban is a 'nonsense' and 'step backwards'.
'The teaching at the moment is all age appropriate and it's important concepts,' she added. 'You look in the world around you, you see people of different genders, you see different families.
'You need to understand how that fits into society and it's a reality.'
Another mother added: 'I think it's a great shame because schools offer a safe place where they're able to nurture inquiry in children.
'It makes more sense for them (children) to get basic information at school from someone they can trust, in an environment they can trust.'
The proposed ban comes comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a review of its statutory RSHE guidance for schools in March last year after hearing concerns that children were being exposed to 'inappropriate' content.
An independent panel was appointed to advise on age ratings in May last year as part of the review into sex education in schools led by the DfE.
![One mother said today that she feels the proposed sex education ban is a 'nonsense' and 'step backwards'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/20/84922869-13422215-image-m-47_1715800134625.jpg)
One mother said today that she feels the proposed sex education ban is a 'nonsense' and 'step backwards'
![Another mother added: 'I think it's a great shame because schools offer a safe place where they're able to nurture inquiry in children. It makes more sense for them to get basic information at school from someone they can trust, in an environment they can trust'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/20/84922865-13422215-Another_mother_added_I_think_it_s_a_great_shame_because_schools_-m-48_1715800171615.jpg)
Another mother added: 'I think it's a great shame because schools offer a safe place where they're able to nurture inquiry in children. It makes more sense for them to get basic information at school from someone they can trust, in an environment they can trust'
The new proposals would impose a total ban on sex education for infant children, with lessons not permitted to start until at least Year 5.
This contrasts with the current guidance, which lets primary schools decide whether they want to provide pupils with more detailed sex education at an earlier age.
In a new letter to ministers, Mrs Keegan has said sex education will 'not be taught before Year 5' - which consists of nine and ten-year-old pupils.
Government sources last night confirmed that a new age limit would be imposed for teaching sex education, but said the precise age was still being finalised.
The new guidance will also make clear that the content of sex education lessons must be based on 'scientific' fact.
As such, schools will be instructed not to teach gender ideology and if the subject arises, they must make it clear that it is a contested belief.
Once children reach the age of nine, they will be taught the basic factors of conception and birth in order to stay safe.
They will be taught how to set 'appropriate boundaries' and how to report something which concerns them, according to The Times.
When they reach the age of 13, they can be taught about contraception, STIs and abortion. They may also be taught about domestic violence, coercive control, and sexual violence.
After Year 9, children can be told that pornography can lead to them having 'distorted' views of themselves.
And those aged 11 will be taught that sending naked photographs of someone under 18 can be a criminal offence. They will also be taught about sexual harassment, revenge porn, forced marriage and grooming.
![Parents will also be given the right to see the material their children are being taught. File pic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/19/84867871-13422215-Parents_will_also_be_given_the_right_to_see_the_material_their_c-a-39_1715799149483.jpg)
Parents will also be given the right to see the material their children are being taught. File pic
But there has been a backlash today with ministers accused of 'politicising' sex education and using pupils as 'political footballs' - though others have welcomed the planned reforms.
In a surprise move, ministers have decided to make the guidance statutory, meaning that schools will have to comply by law.
One government source said Mr Sunak believed the rules around sex education for the youngest children needed to be made 'much tougher'.
A No 10 spokesman said: 'We have always been consistent that the idea that someone can have a gender identity different from their sex is a contested political belief that must not be taught as fact in our schools.'
Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, this morning wrote on X: 'Politicising sex education is unforgivable dangerous & reactionary.
'It's always *age appropriate* to give young people skills to stay safe. For younger ones that means teaching about respect & healthy relationships.
'This is worst kind of arm-chair politics bigoted & ill-informed.'
The plans were supported by Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who posted: 'The right decision. Meanwhile, in Labour Wales, they teach sex education to 3 year-olds. This is what Starmer calls his 'blueprint' for the UK.'
His claim has been disputed by the Welsh government, which said its RSE Code gives 'very clear direction to schools so that children only learn about things that are appropriate for their age and development'.
A spokesman said education in primary schools focused on 'the building of self-esteem by encouraging learners to value themselves' as well as friendships within the family and with friends, not romantic relationships.
But Pepe Di'Iasio, headteacher at a school in Rotherham, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that schoolchildren were being used as a 'political football'.
He added: 'All headteachers have to assess their curriculum and move their curriculum in order to cope with whatever might be the issue of the day.
'Whilst we welcome a chance to look at this, we also need the flexibility to respond to whatever those particular needs are.'
And Rebecca Leek, interim head teacher at a primary school north of Ipswich, told the programme that sex education was not usually given to children in primary schools until Year 6 - which is for those aged 10 and 11.
'Parents already have a right to withdraw' their children if they want to do so, she added.
The Welsh Government said in response to Andrew RT Davies' tweet: 'This is inaccurate. The RSE Code gives very clear direction to schools so that children only learn about things that are appropriate for their age and development.
'For example, education in primary schools should focus on the building of self-esteem by encouraging learners to value themselves; recognise and communicate their feelings and form friendships (these are relationships within the family and with friends and do not include romantic relationships).'
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/14/84903297-13421181-image-a-13_1715778844088.jpg)
Lessons content from the Family Planning Association that teaches primary school pupils about relationships through two characters 'Yasmine and Tom'
![Currently, schools are required to provide Relationships Education to children under nine. However, sex education is optional. Pictured is the example lesson plan from the Family Planning Association](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/14/84903097-13421181-image-a-11_1715778716297.jpg)
Currently, schools are required to provide Relationships Education to children under nine. However, sex education is optional. Pictured is the example lesson plan from the Family Planning Association
![This lesson plan for pupils in Year 4 (8 to 9) covers issues like 'safe and unsafe touches'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/14/84903095-13421181-image-a-12_1715778792453.jpg)
This lesson plan for pupils in Year 4 (8 to 9) covers issues like 'safe and unsafe touches'
The proposal to ban sex education for children under nine are unlikely to change what primary schools are currently required to teach pupils.
Relationships Education is compulsory for pupils from the age of four, and covers 'healthy, respectful relationships' both online and offline, but focuses on family and friends.
Government guidance instructs primary school pupils to include different types of families, including 'single parent families, LGBT parents, families headed by grandparents [and] adoptive parents'.
Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, but teachers are instructed to prepare pupils for the 'challenges of adolescence'.
Guidance states this should 'drawn on knowledge of the human life cycle set out in the national curriculum for science', which includes 'how a baby is conceived and born'.
Children in Year 3 (aged 7 to 8) are told about reproduction in animals, while they discuss puberty in Year 5 (9 to 10).
Schools are currently allowed to decide whether they need to cover 'any additional content on sex education'.
They are told that any content must be 'age-appropriate', with parents given 'detailed' information about what will be taught and offered the change to opt out.
![Rishi Sunak ordered a review after Tory MPs produced evidence that 'age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate' content was being taught to young children across Britain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/13/84901481-13421181-image-a-1_1715777290614.jpg)
Rishi Sunak ordered a review after Tory MPs produced evidence that 'age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate' content was being taught to young children across Britain
Mr Sunak ordered a review after Tory MPs produced evidence that 'age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate' content was being taught to young children across Britain.
Ministers said they are particularly concerned about schools discussing gender identity, which they see as a 'contested subject'. Instead, they say teachers should focus on 'biological' facts about sex.
The government review has previously been branded 'politically motivated' by the National Association of Head Teachers which says there is no evidence of a widespread problem involving age-inappropriate materials for pupils.
And the NAHT's general secretary Paul Whiteman today said: 'If what has been leaked is accurate, the Government must provide the evidence which unequivocally shows that such age limits will improve the support, protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
'We have serious concerns about how potential "limits" would work in practice.
'Schools already work hard to ensure that the curriculum and teaching is age-appropriate based on the current government guidance and have the vital flexibility to respond to their own community and the needs of pupils in their schools.
'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.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/19/84893103-13422215-image-a-41_1715799179512.jpg)
![There has been both criticism and support for the move from politicians on X, formerly Twitter](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/15/19/84893107-13422215-There_has_been_both_criticism_and_support_for_the_move_from_poli-a-42_1715799184048.jpg)
There has been both criticism and support for the move from politicians on X, formerly Twitter
'It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed and when would be in the best interests of young people - and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources.'
And Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Academy group of schools, today told Times Radio the Government should not 'overpolice' teachers. He said: 'I think that contested political ideas shouldn't enter the classroom - and my big fear is that this is a piece of politics.
'I do not buy at core the view that there are school teachers out there who are trying to fill children's heads with ideas.
'Trust teachers. Teachers are wise. They know the children. They do appropriate things. Let's not overpolice them. And let's have an evidence base around this discussion rather than some wild ideas thrown in from the backbenches of the Commons.'