Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

(asked on 8th February 2016) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to make it compulsory for primary schools to teach (a) the correct names for genitalia, (b) that genitals are private to the child and (c) where children should seek help if they are abused.


Answered by
Edward Timpson Portrait
Edward Timpson
This question was answered on 16th February 2016

In key stage 1 (ages 5 to 7), pupils are taught about the main external body parts and teachers are able to teach pupils as is appropriate for their needs. At key stage 2 (ages seven to 11), pupils learn about changes to the human body as it grows from birth to old age. Puberty and body parts are important parts of this.

All schools must have regard to the Department’s “Keeping Children Safe in Education” statutory guidance when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This guidance requires governing bodies and proprietors to consider how children may be taught about safeguarding, including online, through teaching and learning opportunities, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. This may include covering relevant issues through Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education and through Sex and Relationships Education. The Department is in the process of consulting on changing the requirement from the need to “consider how children may be taught” to “ensure children are taught”.

Reticulating Splines