A new report issued by the Family Education Trust has highlighted that some primary schools are being forced to teach sex education in order for them to be considered an official ‘Healthy School.’
The National Healthy Schools Programme was set up by the previous government in 1999 in order to encourage healthy behaviour and reduce health inequalities. Schools receive the Healthy Schools award if they meet certain criteria.
However, a survey of 152 local authorities found that in some areas authorities insist that primary schools teach sex education in order to qualify for the award.
Norman Wells, a director of the Family Education Trust, which produced the report, said:
“It is very concerning to find some local authorities insisting that primary schools teach sex and relationships education as a condition of receiving the Healthy Schools award, when primary school governing bodies are free to decide whether or not to teach sex education after consultation with parents.
“Primary schools that make a principled decision not to teach sex education should not be stigmatised and denied a sought-after award for that reason.
“There is nothing inherently 'unhealthy’ about a primary school that decides not to teach sex education.”
The survey of local authorities also found that a significant minority were restricting schools’ access to outside organisations which teach marriage as the appropriate context for sex and the benefits of abstinence.
Mr Wells went on to say:
“It is ironic that in some local authority areas, the Healthy Schools programme is undermining the healthiest messages of all and depriving young people of learning about the physical, emotional and social benefits of keeping sex within a lifelong, mutually faithful marriage.”
He further commented that local authorities should respect the decision of schools which wish to use agencies which promote saving sex until marriage after consulting with parents.
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“I am very thankful to the Family Education Trust for this report as it exposes what is really going on when it comes to sex education in our primary schools.
“It shows how truly healthy sexual ethics are being pushed out of schools so that a liberal, permissive sexual ethic can take its place.”
Sources
Family Education Trust Report: Unhealthy Confusion
Resources