Pupils will get basic classes in identifying body parts in the first few years of primary school.
In later years, they will be required to have more structured lessons about reproduction and relationships, a major review will recommend.
At secondary level, schools should improve the way issues such as civil partnerships and the importance of marriage are covered.
Teachers will also be given training in delivering lessons amid fears too many are embarrassed to discuss sex in the classroom.
The Government has already admitted that sex and relationship education across England is too "patchy".
However, the move will be opposed by family campaigners who accuse ministers of subjecting pupils to controversial issues before they are ready.
To allay concerns, ministers are expected to announce a consultation ahead of the implentation of the lessons on whether or not to give parents an opportunity to withdraw their children.
In a further move, ministers will also announce a radical shake-up of the way children are taught about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Jim Knight, the Schools Minister, who has led the review, insisted exposure to sex education before puberty reduced teenage pregnancy rates.
"It is important that we as a society allow better sex and relationship education in both primary and secondary schools without sexualising young people too early," he said. "It is right to share the responsibility between home and school."
At present, all primary and secondary pupils have to learn about the biology of reproduction in science.
In primary schools, pupils should learn about how animals and humans reproduce, but can limit lessons to the biology curriculum.
Schools can also cover the subject in personal, social and health education, although it is not a compulsory part of the National Curriculum.
In secondary schools, teachers must go further, covering issues such as relationships and sexually transmitted diseases. Lessons on civil partnerships and marriage are also offered at secondary level as part of PSHE but they are non-statutory.
Mr Knight said he had received "many strong representations" for making PSHE statutory at all ages to address the problem of poor lessons.
Speaking in the Commons, he said: "The international evidence suggests that teaching aspects of sex and relationship education before puberty has a positive effect on such things as teenage pregnancy rates. Clearly, that has to be done with a high degree of sensitivity and... the involvement of parents, with children reaching puberty at different ages. We must ensure not only that, as a society, we are comfortable with the level of detail and of education that people receive during sex education, but that we are strong on relationship education."
Leading charities including the Sex Education Forum and Brook, the sexual health advice service, which have taken part in the Government review, have already called for lessons to be compulsory in all schools.
It follows the publication of Government figures earlier this year showing that the number of abortions in girls under 16 last year rose 10 per cent to 4,376.
Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust, said making sex education mandatory would "seriously undermine parents".
New-style lessons on drugs and alcohol lessons will also be overhauled.
Primary school pupils will be given warnings on avoiding medicines and prescription drugs left in the home - as well recognising the difference between soft drinks and alcohol.
Stephen Burgess, national director of Life Education Centres, the health charity, said: "If we want to make a real and lasting difference to teenage drug and alcohol misuse, we must reach them early – at primary school. Then, as they reach adolescence and are most at risk from peer influence, they can make informed decisions based on fact rather than hearsay."
*Health officials were forced to apologise after sending letters to children as young as nine, demanding they are tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
Primary school children were also offered the chance to win an iPod if they attended a clinic for testing. A primary care trust in Harrow blamed an administrative error.
Geraldine Smith, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, told the Telegraph: "To start sex education at primary school is to rob young children of their innocence. I know children seem to grow up faster these days but to start formally teaching them about sex education would be quite wrong and would encourage under-age sex. Being exposed to this sort of thing at such an age would put an awful lot of pressure on very young children."
i am in year 9 and when i first did sex education in year six there were some really immature dimwits in my class who couldnt handle it so what do the government expect? children aged five to be mature about this??? it discusts me to think abot the fact that my little sister will have to learn this at the age of 5!! it is a horriffic idea to teach children about how to have sex and what it is at 5. Some people will think this will help tem but what if it dosent? what if it leads them into making wrong desicions? i know they are only 5 but are they grown up enough to know these facts of life and stages of puberty?? i believe this is wrong and i deffinately do not want my littke sister to know these things! my opinion will not change whatever people say. but if you agree with this action just think for a moment. think. Do you really want your child to come home and tell you what sex is at the age of 5?
i am in year 9 and when i first did sex education in year six there were some really immature dimwits in my class who couldnt handle it so what do the government expect? children aged five to be mature about this??? it discusts me to think abot the fact that my little sister will have to learn this at the age of 5!! it is a horriffic idea to teach children about how to have sex and what it is at 5. Some people will think this will help tem but what if it dosent? what if it leads them into making wrong desicions? i know they are only 5 but are they grown up enough to know these facts of life and stages of puberty?? i believe this is wrong and i deffinately do not want my littke sister to know these things! my opinion will not change whatever people say. but if you agree with this action just think for a moment. think. Do you really want your child to come home and tell you what sex is at the age of 5?
First of all, I'm barely a teenager - I'm currently in Year 9.
I received sex education of sorts in Year 6 (I was 10). Of sorts meaning we just learned about puberty, with boys and girls in seperate classes, girls with a female teacher and boys with a male teacher. I was fine with it - my mother had already told me about puberty etc. The only thing that bothers me now is that no permission slips were sent out.
In Year 8 (I was 12), we got real sex ed. lessons - in a mixed class of boys and girls with two male teachers and again, no permission slips. It was compulsory. I was so horrified and disgusted that I ended up walking out of the class and almost throwing up in the bathroom. I can't believe anyone would teach things like that in such an environment - I wasn't ready and I'd have much preferred to talk with my mother about it before the school intervened. I will never take sex ed. again because I can't handle it.
Now, if my little sister or brother told me they'd been taught about such things at school, I'd march up to the school and knock the teachers for six myself. I won't stand for it.
The government should have just let the vast majority of Britain believe they were a bunch of useless dimwits rather than put forward this ridiculous proposal and prove it.
I'll be leaving this country as soon as I turn eighteen and I won't be coming back.
I think all of you are wrong when it comes to the sexual education of children. When one of you commented on the fact that this is a form of child abuse that the government is allowing how could any one in their right mind think something like that? The government is trying to help your children be able to come out and say that they have been abused by giving them the proper education on sexuality and I'm sure getting into some of the aspects of child abuse so that they do not feel afraid to tell their parents that they have been sexually abused. I for one would be thankful that my child knew what what happening to them was wrong and that they didn't feel afraid to come to me and tell me. Children should have their innocence but in today's world it is more important for children of all ages to have the knowledge they need to survive in this world. Abstinence is a horrible way of teaching your children about sex and relationships. It wasn't too long ago that I was a young adult and had my share of encounters with the opposite sex. My family said nothing to me and the school that I went to wasn't teaching us the things we needed to learn too. I happen to be a very intelligent individual and decided on my own what I needed to do, and made my own decision. However, many of my fellow peers were not as lucky, and with no formal education on the subject made bad choices and have to suffer the rest of their lives for it. I don't really care what any of you parents do with your own children, but I think when I have my own children that formal sex education at any time is an absolute necessity for any child surviving in today's world. We don't live in the 50s anymore its 2008, you people need to get with the program or its not going to be you that suffers its going to be your children when they have babies at 13-20, don't go to college and have the rest of their life to dwell on the fact that mommy and daddy were too sensitive to give them the tools for them to become adults.
Just to be fair: The headline is misleading, and many of you are not even reading the first sentence.
And probably not reading this comment either, but I tried.
My father told me about this stuff when I was six. I didn't understand it. Now I'm 60 and still don't understand it.
My father told me about this stuff when I was six. I didn't understand it. Now I'm 60 and still don't understand it.
As I parent I do understand the fear of teaching children about sex at a younger age, but this article does have it's merit. I think part of the appeal of experimentation at such a young age is the pressure from adults and the idea that sexuality is bad or dirty. If we bring all this out in the open it looses the allure of being forbidden.
Jeni
http://www.receivemiracles.com
Are you guys blind? you accuse the school of throwing sex in the faces of children, when all you see everywhere is sex..from bus stops, to billboards, to the music kids listen to, and especially on television. i wish people would get mad about their kids wanting a britney spears cd as much as they do about a school teaching your child. Ive seen the way some people let their kids dress, and you guys feel the need to bitch about education. this...THIS is why this world is so messed up..Priorities people...Priorities!!!!
Are you guys blind? you accuse the school of throwing sex in the faces of children, when all you see everywhere is sex..from bus stops, to billboards, to the music kids listen to, and especially on television. i wish people would get mad about their kids wanting a britney spears cd as much as they do about a school teaching your child. Ive seen the way some people let their kids dress, and you guys feel the need to bitch about education. this...THIS is why this world is so messed up..Priorities people...Priorities!!!!
by the time everyone realizes whats happening it might be too late to do anything about it.
Jesus. Are you people stupid? Sex education isn't "how to have sex". It pretty much shows that you don't have a clue what sex education is.
"I feel sick at the thought of mu innocent little 6yr old coming home and telling me she has learnt about penises and vaginas at school today."
Have you ever thought that your child has looked down there and seen a penis or a vagina already? They may have even touched it! Oh, wait, touching (or even looking at) your penis or vagina before you're 18 is a major child abuse! Silly me!
Did people even look at what they'll learn about? At 5 they learn about body parts. THIS IS NOT SINFUL! It is teaching children about their bodies and bodies of the opposite sex.
Promoting a healthy body image from a young age is essential for healthy teenagers. Removing taboos and allowing an open forum for discussion on sex will promote more informed decisions from younger teenagers. I am not privy to national statics. However, working with teenagers, and not being that many years from being one myself, makes me sure that the majority of cases of under age sex and teenage pregnancy happens when young girls, with low self esteem and an unhealthy self image, are put under pressure from young boys with little respect for women.
Good education promotes respect for oneself and respect for others.
What the HEll is going on with people??? If any one tries to teach my grandchildren sex ed it will be ME!! And God Help the person that tries to do it behind my back, I dont need the govenment to help me raise my kids. The government can't run or police themselves much less my kids. I will pull my kids out and home school them myself!!!!
This is a very important step towards eliminating teen pregnancy, alchohol, and several other problems that range in the life on teenagers. At least this future adults will have a vast conscience of what may have happen. However, there is the other side of the coin, this sex realted subjets if they are not thougt in a proper manner may result contraproducent and in a few years we will have 6 years old pregnant teens. Hope this is for the good of our society. Saludos from Hermosillo Mexico,
What the HEll is going on with people??? If any one tries to teach my grandchildren sex ed it will be ME!! And God Help the person that tries to do it behind my back, I dont need the govenment to help me raise my kids. The government can't run or police themselves much less my kids. I will pull my kids out and home school them myself!!!!
"This is not about teaching 5 year olds how to have sex. At that age they will be taught about love and marriage, family relationships, friendship etc."
What 5-year old is going to grasp any of that? The recognized "age of reason" is age 7, for crying out loud. If there is ever an argument for home-schooling, this is it. Let kids be kids, and leave them be.
I was born and raised in Canada. I remember having 'sex education' at age 6 in school. Wha the taught us was, the names of your body parts, that your body parts private, don't let people touch them, if you feel uncomfortable talk to a grown-up, and don't go with strangers. These are all things that children should be taught. The reason that parents are concerned seems to be that sex education sounds like we are telling our children how to have sex. In reality we are telling our children how to stay safe.
Huxley wasn't far off... how long until children are encouraged to indulge in "erotic play". After all, everyone belongs to everyone else.
Do you SERIOUSLY believe that if you don't tell your children about sex, they won't find out about it? Don't you remember what kids talk about in the schoolyard? I think it would be better to give them correct information at a young age than to let them believe some of the myths and misconceptions they will inevitably encounter.
Also, it blows my mind how anyone could get upset over their child learning the appropriate terminology for their anatomy. It's in the dictionary, for heaven's sake. I cannot understand.
Young people are constantly being given bad ideas. The world is not a dreamland that can be so controlled, there is no veil that can hide the realities forever. I think children should have good solid ideas at younger ages, and 11-12 is a great time to start telling about contraception. It should be more readily available. Many of these comments I have read are based on fear. Many people are scared to talk about sex and intimacy, scared of those who have 'different' sexual orientations or are afraid to explore and be open, and afraid to talk about this realm of life. Indeed it is probably the most powerful type of energy living things possess, and in the 21st century humans should have responsible ideas about reproduction, and contraception.
Lastly, this is another issue that is as important as children growing up and using their reason responsibly. If many people are afraid to talk about sex, and afraid to display their energy, and live life in a loving way, this is to say that if the topic of sex is something you want to ignore, then why are so many adults that is have just described having children, lots of children, and are continuing to make the world population grow and grow?
I'm going to propose an idea: having children because of ignorance, or lack of contraception is as unfortunate as having children and trying to impose ignorance on them.
We have a chance to foster a responsible generation, let them have civic and personal freedom, and not encouraging them to hate and be fearful. Lets support young people, and stop trying to scare them.
I have three boys and the older one has already been involved in the sex education our school offers from aged 10, he's 13 now. He knows but isn't yet tempted. The 10 year old knows enough to get by and the 5 year knows he needs to aim and that no one else touches it. Think that's enough for now. Leave it as it is and put the money into to something better...
This is sick, sick, sick and another clear example of this fascist state that we are living in. This govt are not socialists - they are National Socialists! These 'do gooding, intefering, know it all namby pamby morons'have had things their way for too long! Every few years the age for sex education is reduced and what happens? Do teenage pregnancy levels rise or fall? They rise endlessly as do the figures for sexually transmitted diseases. We need a revolution - this govt are trampling all over our civil rights and liberties and ruining our country.
i think its absoloutly outrageous the goverment are even thinking of teaching 5 year olds sex eduxation. To be entirley onest i think it will encourage more under-age children having sex then preventing it. If children do get raped like people said they want to know what happening , i think entirley it will make it worse for them because ther know whats going to happen so there be more terriffied. I just think its encouraging childen and teeangers more and i am outraged by it.
i believe this is sick, all children are born innocent and have a right to it, taking away a childs innocense at such an early age is inhumane, the governmet are incredibly sick and just as The Debt Collector has said, all children should have atleast an infanthood, this could even be bad on children, what if some children think its good to have babies, since they are brought up with the dolls. This is not right.
'Geraldine Smith, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, told the Telegraph: "To start sex education at primary school is to rob young children of their innocence.' etc etc
Please - can anybody here sincerely try to explain the schizophrenia of people like this who obviously expend a great deal of time and effort into becoming a Labour MP and then express disgust at the inevitable consequences of the very worldview of which it is the definitive political representation?
Loonsdale.
Anyone ever seen the episode 507 of south park, "Proper condom use"? It's just the same hehe
I've got an idea. How about reducing sexualisation in the media and promoting strong, family values, not corporate, sex-driven advertising.
you seem to be missing the point here!! children as young as five wont be taught about sex theyll be taught about RELATIONSHIPS!!!! sex wont be brought in until a later date.
ella deputy member of youth parliament
I was born and raised in Canada. I remember having 'sex education' at age 6 in school. Wha the taught us was, the names of your body parts, that your body parts private, don't let people touch them, if you feel uncomfortable talk to a grown-up, and don't go with strangers. These are all things that children should be taught. The reason that parents are concerned seems to be that sex education sounds like we are telling our children how to have sex. In reality we are telling our children how to stay safe.
I would love to let my 6 year old child be a child. I would also love to have my child understand the difference between "good touching" and "bad touching" which is what this program discusses. Sheltering your child from information doesn't protect them. It makes them a more willing victim of predators.
for everyone commenting about this please note that it was actually young people that proposed this- the UK youth paliament (of which i am a member) have been campaigning for better sex education for over 3 years.
secondly if you actually read the article- 5 year olds are not being taught about sex (although studies show that people who are have a more balanced attitude towards it later on)- they are being taught about relationships.
and finally as it is the young people that suggested this- it just shows they are being failed by there parents so actually the state does need to interveen
Young people are constantly being given bad ideas. The world is not a dreamland that can be so controlled, there is no veil that can hide the realities forever. I think children should have good solid ideas at younger ages, and 11-12 is a great time to start telling about contraception. It should be more readily available. Many of these comments I have read are based on fear. Many people are scared to talk about sex and intimacy, scared of those who have 'different' sexual orientations or are afraid to explore and be open, and afraid to talk about this realm of life. Indeed it is probably the most powerful type of energy living things possess, and in the 21st century humans should have responsible ideas about reproduction, and contraception.
Lastly, this is another issue that is as important as children growing up and using their reason responsibly. If many people are afraid to talk about sex, and afraid to display their energy, and live life in a loving way, this is to say that if the topic of sex is something you want to ignore, then why are so many adults that is have just described having children, lots of children, and are continuing to make the world population grow and grow?
I'm going to propose an idea: having children because of ignorance, or lack of contraception is as unfortunate as having children and trying to impose ignorance on them.
We have a chance to foster a responsible generation, let them have civic and personal freedom, and not encouraging them to hate and be fearful. Lets support young people, and stop trying to scare them.
Kids aren't actually going to be taught about sex at age five, this headline's totally blown out of proportion. There'll just be another curriculum subject based on relationships, it's about standardising it across the country rather than leaving it to councils. All they'll learn at age five is about marriage and having a boyfriend/girlfriend etc.
And besides, why would teaching them about sex encourage them to do it? Nobody taught my dog to have sex but that never stopped him.
Crass. Why say more?
Is the lack of sex-ed for the young really is the problem?
Brittan's teenage pregnancy is considered the worse case in the western world, but it's not through lack of sex education.
How long will "the smart educators" remain blind to the real reason this country is is such a mess?
The alcohol culture that embraced the UK makes cool to be drunk; and the senseless prevail.
Isn't it time to realize that the all alcohol related incidence cost the nation in deer resources that otherwise could have been invested where they are really needed.
Huxley wasn't far off... how long until children are encouraged to indulge in "erotic play". After all, everyone belongs to everyone else.
Huxley wasn't far off... how long until children are encouraged to indulge in "erotic play". After all, everyone belongs to everyone else.
Huxley wasn't far off... how long until children are encouraged to indulge in "erotic play". After all, everyone belongs to everyone else.
Explain to me the logic behind how giving (carnal) knowledge will make people LESS likely to use it? Sexualising infants will not prevent teenage pregnancy! Parents must oppose this disturbing policy, vehemently, if they care about their children's innocence. The MP's promoting this should be exposed for the deviants and perverts they are! Let's focus a bit more on numeracy and literacy instead of sex...
I totally agree with the comments from The debt Collector.
I feel sick at the thought of mu innocent little 6yr old coming home and telling me she has learnt about penises and vaginas at school today. Its child abuse in permitted form.
What the hell they need to know about any of this is beyond me. Children should be allowed to be children. There are too many "do-gooders" and liberally minded people and parents who think their childern should fit into the adult world. Parents who say "we never hide tings from them or lie to them" Bloody rubbish!! Its bad parenting. Parents should nuture and protect their children to the enth degree, not expose them to sex, drugs and rock and roll, for them to find out that the things they were exposed to wern't such a good idea when they tried them out. Its totally wrong and unfair. Parents know when their chidren are ready to learn. I was asked my by older daughter when she was 10, I told her everything she asked about and she was more than happy with my reply. We have always had an open and honest relationshio with each other and she is not afraid to come to me about anything. God help anyone that 'informs' my other daughter about anything without my knowledge or consent. I will be removing my daughter from state education and teaching her from home if this policy is rolled out on the curriculum in our area.
LET THE CHILDREN PLAY AND BE CHILDREN - FOR GOD'S SAKE.
People really need to fully check their facts before criticising these suggestions.
This is not about teaching 5 year olds how to have sex. At that age they will be taught about love and marriage, family relationships, friendship etc.
Once they reach the age of 11-12, then they will be taught the mechanics of sex, and about other things such as contraception.
This is very much needed. The USA has proved that the results of abstinence-based sex education are catastrophic. Some teenagers will have sex whether or not you tell them about it, so the best you can do is to keep them as safe as possible.
For gods sake 5 years old..???what right have the interfering state got to do this...they are numbskulls....
If the education system taught responsibiity and accountability instead of the hordes of left wing snits using the the laissez faire approach we would ALL be a lot better off,including in this area of sexual responsibility.
Time for tanks on the street !
What bloody idiot or idiots okayed sex education for 5yr old's.
Do we actuality pay these people to put forward these idea, if so God help us .
The state is fast becoming the true parent to our children: we are just food and emotional comfort robots.
"The international evidence suggests that teaching aspects of sex and relationship education before puberty has a positive effect on such things as teenage pregnancy rates"
Even if this was proven, and not mere suggestion, there is no reason that is enough to justify taking the natural place of the parents and so underming our fundamental nature.
The State should be encouraging good parenting, not replacing them.
Finely sex education in school as eariy as 5! Well that a start sooner the better, I talk to my kids about little bit about it all readed. It is important as well as drink and drugs if you dont tell them now then ever think will get worse kids smoking and having sex at 13 the kids need to start to know about things now befor it get even worse. I have 4 kids my oldest is 7 and she know a little bit and im just starting to try and tell my 4 year old now! so give it a go and start teaching it in school as soon as it can thanks marie mum of 4 from nottingham
Why does a 5 year old child need to know what a penis or a vagina does?
For crying out loud, let them have at least an Infanthood.
Whilst Sex Education is important, lets keep it to the ages of 11 years old when a child needs to know and are more likely to understand the need for safe sex. And in anycase, why does the school need to do this?
What the hell are the parents doing?
Do parents no longer take resonsibility for anything, or is it this Goverment's constant desire to control and indoctinate everyone's life.
And agreed Shazine, let them learn how to make and keep friends (of either sex) first.
For Crying out loud LET THEM BE CHILDREN !
So by teaching young kids how to have sex that stops them from having sex!?
How about you raise the age for when you tell them about sex! If they dont know how it 'works' then they arn't very likely to do it are they! How about giving the parents the choice of when to tell thier kids about sex, as a parent they would know a lot more about their kids than some headmaster in an ofice somewhere who's willing to thrust sex in young childrens faces!
www.aashyana.blogspot.com
is where I have written about relationship education required at school levels. However it has been dealt more from a social and general level than from an angle to teach them responsible sex at age 5. The need is of relationship education - be it relationships with partners, spouses, friends or parents.