Explicit sex ed materials pushed to primary schools

Shocking sex education materials are being pushed by public bodies for use in schools with children as young as five, a new report reveals. The report is launched today (Wed. 9 March) in the midst of a coalition Government review of sex education guidance.

One resource encourages pupils aged five and over to learn about anal intercourse, oral sex and prostitution. Another helps five year olds to identify the clitoris, and another tells seven year olds that sex is like tickling or skipping. An educational video produced by the BBC featuring full frontal nudity of adults is being pushed to children aged as young as seven.

The resources are all recommended by public bodies, mostly local councils, for use by those primary schools that choose to do sex education. The materials – and the public bodies that promote them – are uncovered in a report published today by The Christian Institute, called “Too Much, Too Young”.

The education secretary, Michael Gove, has recently ruled out making sex education mandatory for primary schools, leaving such schools free to use their discretion. But the government is reviewing the advice it gives to schools about sex education. There is concern that, while sex education will not be mandatory for primary schools, it may be heavily pushed by authorities.

The Christian Institute is calling for safeguards to be strengthened and for parents to be given more powers. Spokesman Mike Judge said: “Most parents would be deeply upset if these materials were used with their primary-aged child. If public bodies believe these resources are suitable for young children, there is clearly a problem with their judgement and more control needs to be given to parents.

“Parents must have the right to be fully consulted about materials. They must be able to review them, and veto any that are unsuitable. Those rights must not simply exist on paper. Parental consultation must be meaningful and enforced. We welcome the government’s announcement that sex education will not be mandatory on primary schools, but we are keeping a close watch on the government review of its sex education guidance.”