A survey of sex education in primary schools in the Northern and Yorkshire Region

Abstract

AbstractThe current legislative framework gives primary schools considerable autonomy in relation to the provision of sex education and decisions about its content. The purpose of this study was to explore the position in primary schools one year after the statutory requirements for sex education of the 1993 Education Act came into effect. Areas of enquiry included the provision of sex education, withdrawal of children, policy development and receipt of training and support. Principal findings were that the vast majority of primary schools are providing sex education and about half have been active in policy development on sex education since the new regulations came into force. There was considerable variation in the programmes provided with a focus on the biological aspects. 12% of schools had received requests from parents to withdraw their children from sex education. The school nurse emerged prominently as a provider of support, both as an outside speaker and in developing the school policy on sex ed...