Sex ed opt out lowered

The government has confirmed parents will only have the right to take their child out of sex education classes until they turn 15.

Based on the recommendations of the recent review by east London head Sir Alasdair Macdonald, all children will learn about drugs, personal finance, alcohol and relationships.

The right for parents to opt out of the lessons has been maintained, but lowered by four years so teenagers will have at least one year of sex and relationship education before they leave school.

Announcing the move, schools secretary Ed Balls said Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is essential to healthy development and wellbeing.

He added that it is also vital that schools can tailor the lessons to suit their ethos and to maintain parents' right to opt out, particularly as the teaching of the subject becomes compulsory.

In related news, Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, has urged schools to offer alternatives to competitive sport in a bid to get more young people active.

Written by Tim Colman





Published On 06/11/2009