Sexual Education In Schools

What is sex education?

Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in schools is a graduated, age appropriate programme which teaches children and young adults about sex, sexuality, emotions, relationships and sexual health. It is based around the three main elements of attitudes and values, personal and social skills, and knowledge and understanding. It aims to be age appropriate, and topics covered may include:

•the importance of marriage and stable relationships
•how to avoid teenage pregnancy
•how to recognise and avoid abuse and exploitation
•skills to avoid being pressured into unwanted or unprotected sex
•the benefits of delaying sexual activity and avoiding risky behaviour
•the importance of safer sex
While SRE includes the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health, it does not promote sexual activity, or any particular sexual orientation.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from their school's SRE programme, except where the lessons form a part of the National Curriculum.


England

Under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 in England, a school's SRE policy must be available for parents to inspect. Primary schools are not required to teach SRE other than those elements that fall under the Science curriculum. However, they are required to either have a policy on SRE outlining details of their programme or explaining their reasons for not giving one. Primary school children can expect to be taught the names and functions of external body parts, and be informed about puberty before it begins.

In England, the sex education elements of the Science area of the National Curriculum are compulsory for all pupils of primary and secondary school age (7-16). They include biological aspects of human reproduction, anatomy, puberty, uses of hormones to control fertility and how viruses can affect human health.

At a minimum, information about sexually transmitted infection (STIs) and HIV/AIDS will be taught.

Other elements of sex and relationships education are taught as part of a Personal, Social and Health and Economic Education (PHSEE) programme, which may also include subjects such as citizenship and drug and alcohol awareness. However, SRE is not a compulsory part of the national curriculum.

In secondary education, the school governers will be able to provide an up-to-date policy describing the content that your child is taught.

What is taught at what age?

Where reproduction is taught as part of the Science curriculum in England, children will be expected to understand the following areas:

5-7 years old
•how animals and humans reproduce, and how their offspring grow into adults
•how to recognize external parts of both the male and female human body
•how to recognise similarities and differences, and to treat others with sensitivity

7-11 years old
•learning about the growth and reproduction processes common to humans and other animals
•stages of the human life cycle

11-14 years old
•learning how the fusion of a male and a female cell causes fertilisation
•the physical and emotional changes that take place during puberty
•the menstrual cycle and how it relates to human reproduction
•how a foetus develops in the uterus

14-16 years old
•how hormonal control occurs, and how sex hormones affect the body
•how hormones are used medically, including both how they control and aid fertility.
•how sex is determined in humans