Classes on sex, Aids, babies now compulsory

Teaching about contraception will become part of new compulsory sex education lessons in British schools.

A Government review of personal, health, social and economic education, which covers lessons about sex and relationships, ruled that sex education should be a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.

However, faith schools are being told they can include in the lessons a rejoinder making it clear in the case of Catholics, for example, that their religion is against the use of contraception.

And parents' right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons will remain.

Figures produced by Ofsted, the education standards watchdog, show that only four in every 10,000 have exercised that right, although some observers believe this will grow when sex education becomes statutory.

As a result of yesterday's decision, 7-year-olds will start to learn about puberty and reproduction.

By the time they reach secondary school, they will be taught about contraception, HIV and Aids and pregnancy.

- INDEPENDENT