Sex education must not be taught to pupils younger than nine years old, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan looks poised to say.
Keegan is set to prohibit schools from delivering classes to pupils before Year 5 amid concern from parents about certain topics addressed, including oral sex and gender identity.
Lessons must also now be based on “scientific” fact rather than gender ideology, the Tory MP is set to announce.
A Cabinet document revealed fresh Government guidance will make it clear gender identity is a “contested subject” which should not be taught.
Sex education banned for children under 9
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The scheduled announcement comes after Rishi Sunak ordered a review into the Relationships, Sex and Health Education lessons last year.
The Prime Minister opted to review the situation after receiving fury from parents over “age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate” content.
Tory MP Miriam Cates also told Sunak that children were being taught there were 72 genders and shown graphic lessons on oral sex.
Requesting approval from Cabinet colleagues, Keegan categorically said “sex education will not be taught before Year 5”, nine and 10-year-olds.
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Education secretary Gillian Keegan is expected to make the announcement on Thursday
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The move will ensure sex education is taught to pupils from Year 6 onwards.
However, it ensures it follows a scientific method rather than one fixated on gender ideology.
It will also stress the importance of teaching real-world harms such as stalking.
A Whitehall source told The Guardian: “Most schools are doing a great job [teaching sex and relationship education], however, there have been many concerning reports, and these limits are based on advice from an expert panel.”
The move will ensure sex education is taught to pupils from Year 6 onwards
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Children can learn about basic factors of conception and birth in order to stay safe from age nine.
The topics will broaden to cover STIs and abortion from the age of 13.
Year 9 students can also hear about the impact pornography can have in leading to “distorted” views.
Pupils will also be taught that sending naked photographs of someone under 18 can be a criminal offence upon entering secondary school.