Parents’ views sought on sex lesson content

PARENTS ARE being asked what their children should be taught in school sex and relationship lessons.

The Government says it wants mothers and fathers as well as teachers and young people to give their views on what should be included in a new curriculum on the subject.

Education Secretary Justine Greening, inset, announced earlier this year that sex and relationships education is to be made compulsory in all of England’s schools.

As part of the move, statutory guidance on the subject is being updated, amid concerns that the current advice is out of date and fails to address modern-day issues such as cyber-bullying, sexting and online safety.

The Department for Education is launching an eight-week call for evidence, asking for views on age-appropriate content on topics to be included in sex and relationships education, including mental wellbeing and LGBT issues. Ms Greening said: “It is unacceptable that relationships and sex education (RSE) guidance has not been updated for almost 20 years, especially given the online risks, such as sexting and cyber-bullying, our children and young people face. “Young people must have an education that teaches them the importance of healthy and stable relationships. “This call for evidence is about giving teachers, parents and especially young people a chance to help shape that new approach.”