This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/7684810.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Lessons on sex to be compulsory Relationship lessons from age 5
(about 1 hour later)
Lessons about personal, social and health matters including sex are to be compulsory in all England's schools for the first time. Lessons about personal, social and health matters including sex and relationships are going to be compulsory in all England's schools.
But the government is setting up a review of how best to achieve this, saying there are "complicated issues".But the government is setting up a review of how best to achieve this, saying there are "complicated issues".
Schools Minister Jim Knight said this would factor in the ethos of schools, pupils' needs and parents' values.Schools Minister Jim Knight said this would factor in the ethos of schools, pupils' needs and parents' values.
A BBC poll of more than 1,000 people found two thirds would support sex lessons from the age of 11.A BBC poll of more than 1,000 people found two thirds would support sex lessons from the age of 11.
Reviews of education about sex and drugs were ordered after ministers said teaching was "patchy". Reviews of education about sex and relationships and about drugs and alcohol were ordered after ministers said teaching was "patchy".
What they have not yet given is any detail of what compulsory personal, social and health education (PSHE) will involve.What they have not yet given is any detail of what compulsory personal, social and health education (PSHE) will involve.
New guidanceNew guidance
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said the review of sex lessons had identified "a need to challenge the perception that sex and relationships education happened in a 'moral vacuum' in schools and says that parents and schools can and should work together to decide how best topics should be taught."The Department for Children, Schools and Families said the review of sex lessons had identified "a need to challenge the perception that sex and relationships education happened in a 'moral vacuum' in schools and says that parents and schools can and should work together to decide how best topics should be taught."
It said updated guidance would also be produced covering the content of the PSHE curriculum, based on the existing non-statutory programme.It said updated guidance would also be produced covering the content of the PSHE curriculum, based on the existing non-statutory programme.
A secondary school sex education class.A secondary school sex education class.
Lessons should be "age appropriate". In primary schools, Sir Jim Rose would look at how PSHE should best be delivered as part of his ongoing review of the curriculum.Lessons should be "age appropriate". In primary schools, Sir Jim Rose would look at how PSHE should best be delivered as part of his ongoing review of the curriculum.
The new review of how to make PSHE compulsory will be led by a head teacher, Sir Alasdair MacDonald.The new review of how to make PSHE compulsory will be led by a head teacher, Sir Alasdair MacDonald.
Mr Knight told BBC News: "We are not suggesting that five and six-year-olds should be taught sex.
"What we are saying is we need to improve in particular the relationship education and the moral framework and understanding in which we later talk about sex education."
'Wickedness'
He said what schools would have to follow would be a high-level "programme of study". But it would still be up to schools to decide what to teach.
"Faith groups for example will want to produce their own guidance on top of our guidance, on how they should deliver that programme of study in a way that's sympathetic to their beliefs."
Some are not reassured. The national director of Christian Voice, Stephen Green, said the proposals would only encourage experimentation and contribute to the rise in teenage pregnancy and infertility.
He said the idea of teaching young children about sex is "a wickedness" from a government that wants to see "a whole generation fornicating".
But the chief executive of the sexual health charity Brook, Simon Blake, said: "The news today that personal, social health education (PSHE) is to be made a statutory part of the national curriculum is absolutely brilliant."
He added: "Now, at last, we can put the systems in place to give teachers and others the training and support they need to work effectively in partnership with children, young people and their parents."
Consultation
The sex education teaching requirements placed on schools at present are limited.
BBC/NOP POLL 87% say sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory 36% say no lessons on contraception before 13
In primary schools, sex education is covered as part of the science curriculum.
This tells children about the main body parts and explains that reproduction is one of the life processes common to all animals including humans.
HAVE YOUR SAYA child given a frank education on sex and relationships may be more likely to have sex, but they are also more likely to approach it in a mature manner, with regards to pregnancy and STDs. James, BelfastSend us your comments
In secondary school, again mainly through science lessons, children cover the human reproductive cycle, including adolescence, fertilisation and foetal development.
They may also learn - though there is no statutory requirement that they should - about relationship skills, rights and responsibilities and different types of relationships.
Sexual activity, human reproduction, contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours are all optional elements.
Schools are meant to consult parents about what is taught.
In Wales, sex and relationship education is already part of the curriculum and it is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland.In Wales, sex and relationship education is already part of the curriculum and it is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland.
There is no legal requirement in Scotland.There is no legal requirement in Scotland.
The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe with 27 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19.The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe with 27 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19.
The UK Youth Parliament says four out of 10 young people say they received no relationship education at school.The UK Youth Parliament says four out of 10 young people say they received no relationship education at school.
'Greater involvement''Greater involvement'
While there has been a "small drop" in number of teenage pregnancies in the UK, he said, abortions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise.While there has been a "small drop" in number of teenage pregnancies in the UK, he said, abortions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise.
Earlier this year, figures were released showing that the number of abortions performed in the UK on girls under 16 had risen by 10% in 2007.Earlier this year, figures were released showing that the number of abortions performed in the UK on girls under 16 had risen by 10% in 2007.
Poll results [87KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader herePoll results [87KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The government has said it recognises that sexual experimentation in early adolescence can expose young people to risks.
Young people were in danger of making ill-informed choices which could put their health and future at stake, officials said.
Consultation
The sex education teaching requirements placed on schools at present are limited.
BBC/NOP POLL 87% say sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory 36% say no lessons on contraception before 13
In primary schools, sex education is covered as part of the science curriculum.
This tells children about the main body parts and explains that reproduction is one of the life processes common to all animals including humans.
HAVE YOUR SAYA child given a frank education on sex and relationships may be more likely to have sex, but they are also more likely to approach it in a mature manner, with regards to pregnancy and STDs. James, BelfastSend us your comments In secondary school, again mainly through science lessons, children cover the human reproductive cycle, including adolescence, fertilisation and foetal development.
They may also learn - though there is no statutory requirement that they should - about relationship skills, rights and responsibilities and different types of relationships.
Sexual activity, human reproduction, contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours are all optional elements.
Schools are meant to consult with parents about what is taught.
A UK-wide poll commissioned by the BBC from NOP found that the majority of those questioned believed sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory in schools.A UK-wide poll commissioned by the BBC from NOP found that the majority of those questioned believed sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory in schools.
Of those, 64% believed lessons should not start until children are at least 11 years old.Of those, 64% believed lessons should not start until children are at least 11 years old.
Just over a third (36%) said they did not think children should learn about contraception until they were at least 13.Just over a third (36%) said they did not think children should learn about contraception until they were at least 13.