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| Lessons on sex 'to be compulsory' | Lessons on sex 'to be compulsory' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government is expected to announce later that sex and relationship lessons will be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools in England. | The government is expected to announce later that sex and relationship lessons will be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools in England. |
| A review was ordered after ministers branded teaching on the issue "patchy". | A review was ordered after ministers branded teaching on the issue "patchy". |
| Currently, it is only compulsory to teach children about the biology of reproduction and changing bodies. | Currently, it is only compulsory to teach children about the biology of reproduction and changing bodies. |
| A BBC poll of more than 1,000 people found that 87% would support a change in approach, as long as teaching did not begin at too young an age. | A BBC poll of more than 1,000 people found that 87% would support a change in approach, as long as teaching did not begin at too young an age. |
| 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. |
| 'Greater involvement' | |
| It is not yet clear exactly what will be taught to each year group in England, but some reports suggest five-year-olds could receive some level of sex education. | It is not yet clear exactly what will be taught to each year group in England, but some reports suggest five-year-olds could receive some level of sex education. |
| A primary school sex education class. | |
| Dr Trevor Stammers, a GP who specialises in sexual health, said young children are "naturally inquisitive" but any questions about sex should be answered in an "age appropriate language". | |
| He said he would be "very concerned" about "contraceptive and sex-focussed" rather than "relationship-focussed" lessons in primary school, adding that parents must have a "greater involvement" in sex education. | |
| The government's nine-month review - due at 0930 BST - is being published at the same time as one on drugs education in schools. | |
| The inquiries were announced in December last year as part of the Children's Plan. | The inquiries were announced in December last year as part of the Children's Plan. |
| The government has said it recognises that sexual experimentation in early adolescence can expose young people to risks. | 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. | Young people were in danger of making ill-informed choices which could put their health and future at stake, officials said. |
| Consultation | Consultation |
| The sex education teaching requirements placed on schools at present are limited. | The sex education teaching requirements placed on schools at present are limited. |
| In primary schools, sex education is covered as part of the science curriculum. | 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. BBC/NOP POLL 87% say sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory 36% say no lessons on contraception before 13 | This tells children about the main body parts and explains that reproduction is one of the life processes common to all animals including humans. BBC/NOP POLL 87% say sex and relationship lessons should be compulsory 36% say no lessons on contraception before 13 |
| In secondary school, again mainly through science lessons, children cover the human reproductive cycle, including adolescence, fertilisation and foetal development. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Schools are meant to consult with parents about what is taught. |
| Contraception | Contraception |
| Last week, Schools Minister Jim Knight, who has led the review, told MPs he had received "strong recommendations" for making sex education compulsory. | Last week, Schools Minister Jim Knight, who has led the review, told MPs he had received "strong recommendations" for making sex education compulsory. |
| But he said any new approach to teaching had to be done without "sexualising young people too early". | But he said any new approach to teaching had to be done without "sexualising young people too early". |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |