Sex education books are inappropriate say campaigners

Religious campaigners hit out today at "explicit" sex education resources they claim are inappropriate for primary school children.

A report by the Christian Institute claims materials available to schools contain unsuitable language and information for young pupils.

Many of these resources are recommended for teaching by local authorities, it says, and aimed at children as young as five.

One resource, a book called How Did I Begin? by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, the report says, is recommended for children aged five and up.

It contains information such as "as they cuddled, your dad's penis moved gently inside your mum's vagina and the sperms flowed out".

Another book, Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle, shows cartoon pictures of nude people, and descriptions of their bodies.

This book, the report claims, is recommended by two councils for children aged seven and older.

The report highlights a primary school sex and relationships education pack, recommended by a number of authorities.

It claims the pack includes a glossary giving definitions for terms including "anal intercourse", "bisexual" and "clitoris".

A book called Let's Talk About Sex, by Robie H Harris, which includes a chapter on heterosexuality and homosexuality called "Straight and Gay" is also highlighted in the report.

The book is aimed at pupils aged seven plus, it says.

The institute's document highlights a number of other books and resources which include definitions for terms such as "incest", "lesbian" "oral sex" and "orgasm", as well as discussing issues like masturbation.

The report's introduction says: "At a time when there is growing alarm at the sexualisation of childhood, using sexually explicit resources in schools can surely only make things much worse.

"If sex education is made compulsory for primary schools, the publications highlighted in this report are the kind of materials that will be used with children as young as five.

"A national curriculum for sex education would see control taken out of the hands of schools and centralised in the hands of those who advocate the use of material which most parents would find unacceptable."

At the moment, both primary and secondary schools have to teach pupils age-appropriate lessons about the biology of sex in science.

Schools must also have a sex education policy, although the subject is not compulsory.

The future of sex education is part of a current review of the entire national curriculum ordered by ministers.

Christian Institute spokesman Mike Judge said: "Most parents would be deeply upset if these materials were used with their primary-aged child.

"If public bodies believe these resources are suitable for young children, there is clearly a problem with their judgment and more control needs to be given to parents.

"Parents must have the right to be fully consulted about materials. They must be able to review them, and veto any that are unsuitable.

"Those rights must not simply exist on paper. Parental consultation must be meaningful and enforced."

A spokesman for the Department for Education (DfE) said: "By law, schools must make sure that sex and relationship education (SRE) classes are appropriate to pupils' ages and maturity.

"It's down to teachers themselves to use their professional judgment in deciding this - and it's common sense to involve parents closely in this.

"Parents retain the right to pull their children out of any SRE class, outside statutory science, if they are unhappy with teaching.

"This is about balancing. Ministers believe it is important that all children have high quality SRE while at school so they can make informed and safe decisions about their lives as they grow up.

"The White Paper has made clear how we can improve the quality of PSHE teaching - we'll set out details of an internal review in due course."

A spokesman for Brook, a sexual health charity aimed at young people, said: "All children and young people have the right to education about sex and relationships, in schools and at home, which equips them with the information and skills they need to form healthy and positive sexual relationships and protect themselves from harm.

"Education about sex and relationships is age-appropriate and starts by teaching children and young people about friendships, feelings and boundaries, names of the body parts and preparing them for puberty.

"In secondary school it teaches children and young people about relationships, as well as the biological aspects of sex, and the links with alcohol, risk-taking and personal safety."