Sex Education

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Education,

It has just been brought to my attention by a reliable professional that some schools have been teaching children about anal sex and threesomes amongst other adult pastimes. Whilst I have no opinion on these matters between consenting adults, I am deeply offended that my ten year old son may be taught this at school as part of his "sexual education" syllabus.

I therefore request a copy of the national syllabus on sex education along with references to where such material might be found should the document(s) be large. The informant has not been employed in Child Services for several years and so I recognise that it is possible this material may no longer be included in the syllabus. If this is the case I request that any historical syllabus which includes this material be provided - along with documentation which provides the names of the people responsible for policy-making and implementing it.

The informant came from the midlands in the UK (I am in the South West). I therefore also seek any information you may have on regional differences in this material should any exist.

My request is to cover all sex education for all pre-college, school age children (preschool to age 16).

I also would like to know how to make an online and public request to Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet, Somerset which has become an academy and not part of the LEA.

Yours faithfully,

Nige Coleman

Department for Education

Dear Mr Coleman

Thank you for your recent enquiry. A reply will be sent to you as soon as possible. For information; the departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses should be sent within 20 working days as you are requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Your correspondence has been allocated reference number 2015 - 0011437.

Thank you

Department for Education
Ministerial and Public Communications Division
Tel: 0370 000 2288

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Department for Education

Dear Mr Coleman,

Thank you for your request for information, which was received on 3 March 2015. You requested a copy of the national syllabus on sex education; details of resources and materials used in sex education as part of a national syllabus and the names of officials involved in the development of this policy. I have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Under section 21 of the Act, the Department is not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. There is no ‘national syllabus’ for sex and relationship education. However, when teaching sex education, it is a statutory requirement for schools to have regard to the Secretary of State’s Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (2000) - available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio....

There is no national syllabus for sex and relationship education therefore it is not possible to provide details of the officials who were responsible for developing and implementing this.

We do not hold any information about what resources and materials are used by schools or provided by local authorities.

You asked about how to contact Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet. You can make a request to any school for information under the Freedom of Information Act by writing directly to them.

If you are unhappy with the way your request has been handled, you should make a complaint to the Department by writing to me within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Your complaint will be considered by an independent review panel, who were not involved in the original consideration of your request

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint to the Department, you may then contact the Information Commissioner’s Office.

You may find it helpful if I set out the government’s policy on sex and relationship education (SRE). SRE is compulsory in maintained secondary schools. Primary schools are free to decide whether they provide additional SRE for their pupils in addition to elements which are required to be taught through the national curriculum. At key stage 2, pupils should be able to describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals, and describe the changes as humans develop to old age. Additionally, aspects of the biology of reproduction and the human life cycle are included in the national curriculum for science at key stage 3.

Academies are not required to teach SRE, but they are required through their funding agreements to teach a broad and balanced curriculum and we expect this is to include SRE - according to children's age and maturity. When teaching sex education, it is a statutory requirement for all schools (including academies through their funding agreements) to have regard to the Secretary of State’s Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (2000). The government is clear that appropriate SRE is essential for children’s development and preparation for responsible adult life.

The statutory guidance makes clear that all sex and relationship education should be age-appropriate and that schools should ensure young people develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgments and behaviour. This is particularly relevant to sexual consent and the guidance makes clear that all young people should understand how the law applies to sexual relationships. The guidance covers a range of issues about sex and relationships, including:

o the importance of loving and stable relationships.
o the nature of marriage and its importance for family life and the bringing up of children
o how to avoid exploitation and abuse, and how the law applies to sexual relationships.

The guidance also ensures that pupils are protected from inappropriate teaching and materials, having regard to pupils’ age and religious or cultural background. The governing bodies of all maintained schools must have an up-to-date policy that sets out the school’s particular approach to sex and relationship education. When developing their sex and relationship policy all schools should consult their pupil’s parents and make the policy available to parents on request, at no charge. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from any parts of sex and relationship education, except those aspects included in the statutory science curriculum at each of the key stages.

Teachers decide what is right for their students, covering issues that reflect their interests and circumstances. We have full confidence in our teachers to make these decisions; they spend time with children on a daily basis and will know where they are in their individual development. Schools should also work closely with parents when developing their approach to SRE to ensure that

If you have any queries about this letter please contact me.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Your correspondence has been allocated reference number 2015-0011437. If you need to respond to us, please visit: https://www.education.gov.uk/contactus and quote your reference number.

As part of our commitment to improving the service we provide to our customers, we are interested in hearing your views and would welcome your comments via our website at: https://www.education.gov.uk/pcusurvey.

Yours sincerely

Gillian Machin 

Web: https://www.education.gov.uk
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