Plans to ban sex education for children under nine

Sex education in primary schools is to be limited to those aged nine and over, according to leaked information from the government. 

The revised guidance on relationships, sex and health education is expected to be published this week by the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and is likely to contain further restrictions on teaching about gender and identity, with teachers told to instead explain “biological” facts, according to reports.

Keegan's announcement is expected to propose that schools should not teach sex education at all before Year Five. 

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, responded to the details and said: "Relationships, Sex and Health Education covers a wide range of content and is vital to help safeguard young people and prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. 

“Some of the topics covered are particularly sensitive and need considered and measured debate."

He said it is "utterly disgraceful" that the government has decided to "engage in private briefings and media leaks simply to grab headlines." 

He added: “If what has been leaked is accurate, the government must provide the evidence which unequivocally shows that such age limits will improve the support, protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

“We have serious concerns about how potential ‘limits’ would work in practice. Schools already work hard to ensure that the curriculum and teaching is age-appropriate based on the current government guidance and have the vital flexibility to respond to their own community and the needs of pupils in their schools.

“We cannot ignore the fact that some children and young people are already accessing information from different sources outside of school. 

"This may lead to questions that need careful handling from trained professionals. It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed and when would be in the best interests of young people - and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources.”

The Daily Telegraph reported that the details were “still being finalised”, with the plans being circulated to cabinet ministers, and suggested there could still be changes before they are published.