What children will learn about sex in Personal, social, health and economic lessons:

Age 5-7

• Simple physical changes to their bodies

• Different relationships they have and why they are important

Times Archive, 1914: The teaching of sex hygiene

Speaking of these subjects must tend to break down the children's natural modesty

• Mr G. Bernard Shaw on sex instruction

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• To identify different relationships that they have and why these are important

• How to keep safe and know how and where to get help

Age 7-11

• Physical and emotional changes as they grow up and approach puberty (changes to their bodies; emotions, feelings and attitudes; naming external parts of the body).

• How to form and keep relationships. This includes changing relationships, marriage, civil partnerships, separation

• How physical changes relate to reproduction

• To listen to, reflect on and respect other people’s views and feelings

• Recognise and respect similarities and differences

• How to cope with strong feelings and manage anger

Age 11-14

• Diverse values encountered in society

• Sexual activity

• Human reproduction

• Contraception

• Pregnancy

• Sexually transmitted infections and HIV Features of positive stable relationships, how to deal with a breakdown in a relationship and the effects of loss and bereavement

• Different types of relationships, including those within families and between older and young people, boys and girls, and people of the same sex, including civil partnerships

• Nature and importance of marriage and stable relationships in bringing up children

• Differences between people, race, religion, sexual orientation

Age 14-16

• The effect of diverse and conflicting values on individuals, families and communities and ways of responding to them

• How the media portrays young people, body image and health issues

• Where and how to obtain health information

• The benefits and risks of health and lifestyle choices

• Characteristics of healthy relationships and awareness of exploitation

• Parenting skills and qualities and their central importance on families and the need to adapt to changing circumstances

• Impact of divorce

• The diversity of ethnic and cultural groups, the power of prejudice, bullying, discrimination and racism

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