Sex education has to be provided as part of the National Curriculum, but is considered to be the joint responsibility of parents/carers and the school.
The sex education programme is not taught in isolation, but within the framework of personal, social and health education, which deals with the varied aspects of growing up, emphasising caring, self-worth, self-respect, responsibility and the value and importance of relationships and family life.
The provision of sex education is through a differentiated programme of study which aims to deliver the elements at levels appropriate for each individual pupil, giving due regard to age and maturity.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education, except from the elements that are mandatory at both primary and secondary level as part of the science curriculum.
However, we would invite parents to visit school and discuss their views with the head teacher before making any decisions.