Sex education will made made compulsory in schools
Jen MillsWednesday 1 Mar 2017 3:28 pm
Getting a not-at-all awkward condom tutorial (Picture for illustration: Getty)
Sex education will become compulsory in all secondary schools.
The government announced curriculum changes today, which also include education about what the difference is between a healthy and abusive relationship.
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Previously, schools only had to offer sex ed if they were run by a local authority. That meant that private schools, free schools and academies weren't legally obliged to offer it.
When the changes come in, the subject will be compulsory.
However, parents will still have the right to withdraw children from the lessons and religious schools will still be able to teach the topic in accordance with their faith.
Sex ed is only compulsory in council schools at the moment (Picture: Getty)
In a written statement, Education Secretary Justine Greening said existing laws, introduced in 2000, were outdated and didn't address digital issues that had become increasingly common, such as cyber bullying, sexting and online safety.
'I am today announcing my intention to put relationships and sex education on a statutory footing, so every child has access to age appropriate provision, in a consistent way,' the minister said in her statement.
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The move was welcomed by school leaders and campaigners.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said: 'We have long advocated age appropriate sex education and PSHE, for all pupils in all schools, to help prepare young people for the challenges they will encounter in their adult lives and the current challenges they face beyond the school gates.'
In primary schools, the focus would be on building healthy relationships and staying safe, the Department for Education (DfE) said, adding that as children got older it was important that they understood healthy adult relationships in more depth.
Domestic violence campaigners had urged the government to bring in education about how people could recognise signs of an abusive relationship and, conversely, what makes a healthy relationship.
The Government will hold discussions on what should be taught to children, and at what age, and there will be a full public consultation later this year.
Schoolchildren could be taught the new curriculum from as soon as September 2019, the department said.
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