The Local Government Association has urged the government to make sex education compulsory in all secondary schools.
Sex and relationship education (SRE) is mandatory in local authority-maintained schools, but not in academies and free schools which make up 65% of secondaries.
Izzi Seccombe, chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said “the lack of compulsory sex and relationship education in academies and free schools is storing up problems for later on in life, creating a ticking sexual health time bomb, as we are seeing in those who have recently left school.”
Last month, a poll by Barnardo’s found three-quarters of children between the ages of 11 and 15 believe they would be safer if they had age-appropriate sex and relationship education.
We would like your own views and experiences. What kind of sex and relationship education did you receive at school? Are you worried that your children aren’t receiving any formal tuition on the issue? And if you’re a teacher, are you happy with how SRE is taught in your school?
You can share your views by filling out the form below.
