Sex education will be pupils’ choice at age 15
Reform will allow pupils aged 15 to disregard stated parental wishes regarding education on intimacy
Children will be able to overrule their parents’ wishes and opt-in to sex education lessons at the age of 15. Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary, is to unveil proposals to make health education a mandatory part of the curriculum for all primary and secondary schools in England from autumn 2020. Mr Hinds said a right for parents to withdraw children from sex education up to the age of 18 “was no longer compatible with English case law”.
CHILDREN will be able to overrule their parents’ wishes and opt-in to sex education lessons at the age of 15, under new Government plans.
Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary, is to unveil plans to make health education a mandatory part of the curriculum for all primary and secondary schools in England from autumn 2020.
Under legislation passed last year, relationship education is compulsory in all primary schools, while sex and relationship education is compulsory in secondaries.
Mr Hinds said that European human rights law meant that parents could not withdraw any child under the age of 18 from sex education classes.
However, they will have a right to request that their child be withdrawn from sex education until three school terms before they turn 16.
He told MPS: “A right for parents to withdraw their child up to 18 years of age is no longer compatible with English case law nor with the European Convention on Human Rights.
“It’s also clear that allowing parents to withdraw their child up to age 16 would not allow the child to opt-in to sex education before the legal age of consent.
“I therefore propose to give parents the right to request their child be withdrawn from sex education. And the draft guidance sets out that – unless there are exceptional circumstances – the parents’ request should be granted until three terms before the pupil reaches 16.
“At that point, if the child wishes to have sex education, the head teacher should ensure they receive it in one of those three terms.
“This preserves the parental right, in most cases, but also balances it with the child’s right to opt-in to sex education once they are competent to do so.”
He said he was “not expecting a large numbers of cases” of parents withdrawing their children from sex education when pupils want to receive it.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the announcement covers “important elements” such as online safety and LGBT, but it “does not go as far” as personal, social, health and economic education.
Mr Hinds said there were no plans to make financial education a compulsory part of lessons because it “is already in the curriculum, in maths and citizenship, and careers education is an important part of our Careers Strategy”.
He added: “We are committed, however, to improving provision of financial and careers education and will work with stakeholders to do so.”
Under the plans, which are open to consultation, pupils will learn about mental health and developing skills such as confidence and resilience.
It initiative comes amid growing concerns about mental health issues among young people. Classes will also cover physical health, such as the importance of exercise, healthy eating and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.