Sir, It is important that both schools and parents have a role in ensuring that children grow up with the essential information and skills to stay safe and be healthy (“Sex education lessons”, letter, Nov 11). There is good evidence, for example from Kirby’s international review of programmes to reduce teen pregnancy, that sex and relationships education that starts early and is factually accurate results in young people choosing to delay sex until they are older. Currently there is a large gap between the sex and relationships education that children and young people want and need, and what they actually get — both at home and at school.
All children have the right to learn about their bodies, growing up, relationships and sex. Making personal, social and health education statutory is an opportunity for schools to build their relationship with parents. Experience shows that when parents fully understand what schools are teaching the majority are very supportive. By listening to the views of children and young people and working together, schools and parents can start to provide the good quality education that is needed.
Jane Lees
Chair, Sex Education Forum
Sir, As a Year 12 student, may I suggest that while I agree that schools should provide regular sex education classes for pupils between the ages of 11 to 16 years, I do strongly believe that parents — who after all did bring these children into the world — should stop relying on overburdened teachers to do their job. Parents should take responsibility to teach their own offspring about the “birds and the bees”, respect for themselves and society, and while they are at it, basic right from wrong.
If some parents struggle with providing this essential support then maybe parenting classes are the answer.
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Amelia Taylor-Watt
Torquay, Devon
Sir, I do hope that those parents intent on removing their children from sex education lessons are aware that withdrawal is not a satisfactory method of birth control.
Tim Sawyer
Salisbury