Sex Education

It depends what is being taught and to what extent.

Puberty information should be taught and I feel they should both be taught what happens to each other as well as themselves. Children are hitting puberty a lot younger than they used to, from around the age of 8-9 is more common now. Some have to go through it even younger! But that is more of a rarity. I think you go to secondary school around the age of 11 so age 8 may be year 4 or 5.

They also need to know that they can get pregnant once in puberty so need to be aware. But I don't feel STIs and how to apply a condom etc needs to be taught then. They are so young and shouldn't be thinking about that.

So a small bit around reproduction and puberty lessons/classes to help prepare them.

My sister wasn't really aware of what a period was, even though our parents were very open. I was glad I had an older sister as I learnt all about it as she was going through it. But not everyone has a parent that has gone through it or siblings etc.

Well I would probably be called old fashioned but I don't believe it should be until first year of secondary before the older kids start telling them wrong information. However, in the last couple of years of primary they could be taught about our bodies and the difference between boys and girls. As long as they don't push the woke agenda.

Yes it should come from parents. But like a lot of things parents should or shouldn't do. Some will do what they need others don't and expect schools to parent their kids sadly. We start in year 1 but it's not sex Ed as such we talk relationships. This is all so friendships, siblings, family. We do talk about body parts. We teach the correct names. One of the reasons is because of abuse. While for most they won't encounter abuse some will and may not know its wrong because its their normal. We teach that their private parts are that and do the whole no one is to touch it. We don't talk about it bluntly. Year 3 we start talking about where babies come from but not in loads of details that comes more in year 5.

It's tricky there's no right or wrong. You can opt out of these pshe lessons. I work in a primary school and we get 9 year olds starting their periods so they need to know so it's not a shock but they are 9 at the same time. I hate parents that refuse yo call body parts the correct name. I have had kids tell me they have been abused but it was made worse by having to get the child to explain what was meant by a word as I couldn't understand what she was on about til she point on her body. Had she known and used the correct term or a word like bottom I'd have understood and it would have been less harder to explain.

I think they need to be taught, maybe late junior school before they go to secondary schools so they are aware of basics but more in secondary. They are children becoming adults after all so need to be told. You as a parent being aware of awkward questions