Sex education for seven-year-olds, pledge Lib Dems
A report by Ofsted last year criticised the quality of sex education in state schools
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sex education would start from the age of seven and would form part of secondary education curriculum in every state-funded school in England, under a plan that will be part of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto.
The ‘age-appropriate’ discussion of sex would be included in a series of classes to prepare children for the outside world, which would also cover citizenship and management of money.
Sex education is compulsory in council-run secondary schools, but not in primary schools or in state-funded academies or free schools.
A report by Ofsted last year criticised the quality of sex education in state schools. A survey of 500 18-year-olds published last week by the think-tank the IPPR suggested that a very high proportion of teenagers, particularly boys, have seen pornography on the internet, but a majority also believes that pornography harms relationships, and were dissatisfied with school sex education.
David Laws, the Liberal Democrat schools minister said: “It is vitally important that children learn all the life skills they need... at school.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments