At present, state secondary schools run by local authorities must offer sex and relationships education, but free schools and academies are not required to do so. Experts from organisations including ChildNet and Barnados agree that lesson-time which addresses not just the mechanics of intercourse, but which talks around the issues, which has the confidence to engage young people in a frank conversation that bolsters their emotional welfare, is vital. Indeed, last month the Liberal Democrats announced that children should have lessons about sex and relationships from the age of seven, with “age-appropriate” lessons part of a wider “curriculum for life”.
But change has been a long time coming.
As the Hamburg-based neuro-psychologist and sexologist Ann-Marlene Henning discovered after writing her book (originally in German) on sex and relationships, aimed at young people. Henning, whose adaptation of the book for a UK audience ‘Sex & Lovers: A Practical Guide’ is published tomorrow, believes that with the World Health Organisation (WHO having recently announced that a third of British teenagers have had sexual intercourse by the age of 15, often with little or no understanding about how to look after themselves or their partners, something has to give. “The lack of sex and relationship education in Britain is causing more and more concern, especially among parents, teachers and teenagers themselves,” Henning explains.