A furious row broke out today over the Government's proposed sex education ban for children aged under nine. 

School heads and MPs have criticised the proposals being brought forward by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan which include ruling that gender identity is a 'contested subject that should not be taught' in schools. 

She will unveil proposals for a total ban on sex education for infant children, with lessons not permitted to start until at least Year Five.

Parents will also be given the right to see the material their children are being taught.

But there has been a backlash today with ministers accused of 'politicising' sex education and using pupils as 'political footballs' - though others have welcomed the planned reforms.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will unveil proposals tomorrow for a total ban on the subject for infant children, with lessons not permitted to start until at least Year Five

Parents will also be given the right to see the material their children are being taught. File pic

There has been both criticism and support for the move from politicians on X, formerly Twitter

What are the existing rules on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)? 

Education on relationships has been compulsory in primary schools since September 2020.

Children are taught about physical health, parts of the body and puberty - as well as healthy and respectful relationships within family and friends.

Schools are encouraged to inform pupils about different types of families and same-sex relationships.

Secondary school pupils are given mandatory relationships, sex and health education - including content on sex, consent, online abuse, domestic abuse and female genital mutilation.

Parents can remove their children from some sex education classes but not relationships education. 

In a surprise move, ministers have decided to make the guidance statutory, meaning that schools will have to comply by law.

One government source said Rishi Sunak believed the rules around sex education for the youngest children needed to be made 'much tougher'.

Under the current rules, 'relationships education' begins when children start primary school at the age of four and can be supplemented with sex education using 'age appropriate material'.

The Prime Minister ordered a review after Tory MPs produced evidence that 'age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate' content was being taught to young children across Britain.

But Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, this morning wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Politicising sex education is unforgivable dangerous & reactionary.

'It’s always *age appropriate* to give young people skills to stay safe. For younger ones that means teaching about respect & healthy relationships.

'This is worst kind of arm-chair politics bigoted & ill-informed.'

The plans were supported by Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who posted: 'The right decision. Meanwhile, in Labour Wales, they teach sex education to 3 year-olds. This is what Starmer calls his "blueprint" for the UK.'

His claim has been disputed by the Welsh government, which said its RSE Code gives 'very clear direction to schools so that children only learn about things that are appropriate for their age and development'.

A spokesman said education in primary schools focused on 'the building of self-esteem by encouraging learners to value themselves' as well as friendships within the family and with friends, not romantic relationships.

Pepe Di'Iasio, headteacher at a school in Rotherham, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that schoolchildren were being used by ministers as a 'political football'.

He added: 'All headteachers have to assess their curriculum and move their curriculum in order to cope with whatever might be the issue of the day.

'Whilst we welcome a chance to look at this, we also need the flexibility to respond to whatever those particular needs are.'

Green Party MP Dr Caroline Lucas has accused ministers of 'politicising' sex education in a move which she described as 'unforgivable, dangerous and reactionary'

But the government review has been backed by Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who called it 'the right decision'

And Rebecca Leek, interim head teacher at a primary school north of Ipswich, told the programme that sex education was not usually given to children in primary schools until Year 6 - which is for those aged 10 and 11.

'Parents already have a right to withdraw' their children if they want to do so, she added.

The government review has previously been branded 'politically motivated' by the National Association of Head Teachers which says there is no evidence of a widespread problem involving age-inappropriate materials for pupils.

And the NAHT's general secretary Paul Whiteman today said: 'If what has been leaked is accurate, the Government must provide the evidence which unequivocally shows that such age limits will improve the support, protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

'We have serious concerns about how potential "limits" would work in practice.

'Schools already work hard to ensure that the curriculum and teaching is age-appropriate based on the current government guidance and have the vital flexibility to respond to their own community and the needs of pupils in their schools. 

'We cannot ignore the fact that some children and young people are already accessing information from different sources outside of school. This may lead to questions that need careful handling from trained professionals.

'It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed and when would be in the best interests of young people - and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources.'

And Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Academy group of schools, today told Times Radio the Government should not 'overpolice' teachers. He said: 'I think that contested political ideas shouldn't enter the classroom - and my big fear is that this is a piece of politics. 

'I do not buy at core the view that there are school teachers out there who are trying to fill children's heads with ideas.

'Trust teachers. Teachers are wise. They know the children. They do appropriate things. Let's not overpolice them. And let's have an evidence base around this discussion rather than some wild ideas thrown in from the backbenches of the Commons.'

Oasis Academy founder Steve Chalke says ministers should not 'overpolice' teachers

National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Paul Whiteman warned a sex education ban could prompt pupils to seek information from 'less reliable sources'

In a new letter to ministers, Mrs Keegan has said sex education will 'not be taught before Year 5' - which consists of nine and ten-year-old pupils.

Government sources last night confirmed that a new age limit would be imposed for teaching sex education, but said the precise age was still being finalised.

The new guidance will also make clear that the content of sex education lessons must be based on 'scientific' fact.

As such, schools will be instructed not to teach gender ideology and if the subject arises, they must make it clear that it is a contested belief.

Once children reach the age of nine, they will be taught the basic factors of conception and birth in order to stay safe.

They will be taught how to set 'appropriate boundaries' and how to report something which concerns them, according to The Times.

When they reach the age of 13, they can be taught about contraception, STIs and abortion.

They may also be taught about domestic violence, coercive control, and sexual violence.

After Year 9, children can be told that pornography can lead to them having 'distorted' views of themselves.

And those aged 11 will be taught that sending naked photographs of someone under 18 can be a criminal offence.

They will also be taught about sexual harassment, revenge porn, forced marriage and grooming.

A No 10 spokesman said: 'We have always been consistent that the idea that someone can have a gender identity different from their sex is a contested political belief that must not be taught as fact in our schools.'

The Prime Minister ordered a review after Tory MPs produced evidence that 'age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate' content was being taught to young children across Britain. Pictured is Rishi Sunak

Policing minister Chris Philp said this morning that the Education Secretary's guidance on sex education is due to come out shortly and he expects changes to come into force quickly.

He told GB News: 'As a parent as well, I don't want my children, to be honest, to be exposed to inappropriate content at a pretty young age and nor do I want politically contested ideas like the trans issues being taught as if they're facts.

'I think childhood is a really special time and I don't think we need to introduce some of these ideas too early.

'So I think the changes that are likely to come are going to be very welcome and as I say, I know the Education Secretary will get on and do them as quickly as possible. As a parent I strongly welcome that.'

Meanwhile, parenting charity Parentkind called for 'transparency' over the guidance 'to make sure that parents are given the information they need'.

The charity's chief executive Jason Elsom said: 'Parents not only want to protect the innocence of their children but also wish to see them develop a healthy understanding of relationships and sex when they themselves feel it is appropriate to do so.

'To help them be part of that journey, parents are asking schools to be completely open and transparent with the foundations they are putting in place for perhaps the most important construct a child will have.

'When schools fail to be transparent with parents, it's natural to wonder what they're hiding.'

Since September 2020, Relationships, Health and Sex Education has been compulsory in schools. In primary schools, pupils must be taught 'key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships' as part of the national curriculum.

At the time, the Department for Education said sex education would not be compulsory at primary schools, but admitted - and recommended - that many choose to do so. Guidance on their website suggests content will be 'tailored to the age, physical and emotional maturity of their pupils'.

Policing minister Chris Philp welcomed the reforms as 'welcome', saying that as a parent he did not want his children 'exposed to inappropriate content at a pretty young age'

Mr Sunak's review of such lessons came after more than 50 Conservative MPs told him 'children are being indoctrinated with radical and unevidenced ideologies about sex and gender'.

Tory MP Miriam Cates told the Prime Minister that youngsters were being given 'graphic lessons in... what passes for relationships and sex education in British schools', including material on oral sex, violent practices and claims that people can belong to any of a bewildering 72 different genders.

'Across the country, children are being subjected to lessons that are age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate, often using resources from unregulated organisations that are actively campaigning to undermine parents.'

It prompted a vow from Mr Sunak to protect Britain's 'precious' children.

'First and foremost as a parent, it's really important that what our kids are exposed to, not just at school but online, is sensitive and age appropriate,' he said last year.

'Our children are precious, they deserve to be protected. Families up and down the country are concerned about what their children are seeing online and they expect me and the government to put in place protections for that. That's what we are going to do.

'What I want is a curriculum that is sensitive and age-appropriate. Our children are precious; they deserve to be protected, sensitively. That's what I want as a parent first and foremost.'

In October Mrs Keegan wrote to schools demanding they share sex education materials with parents.

She said: 'No ifs, no buts and no more excuses. This government is acting to guarantee parents' fundamental right to know what their children are being taught in sex and relationship education. I'm writing to schools and parents to debunk the copyright myth that parents cannot see what their children are being taught.

Conservative MP Miriam Cates warned the PM children were being given 'graphic lessons'

'Parents must be empowered to ask and schools should have the confidence to share.'

Ahead of the guidance being issued, Mrs Cates said: 'For too long activist groups have been pushing a politically motivated agenda on children under the cover of RSHE. We need compulsory guidance to restore common sense and the rights of parents to know what their children are being taught.'

And fellow Tory Nick Fletcher added: 'Our schools, and what they have been teaching children about sex and gender, have played a role in funnelling vulnerable children towards a pathway of irreversible damage.

'Such has been the reach of the gender ideologues that there is not one simple 'quick fix'. Education Ministers are well aware that action is needed. Officials have been working on solutions. Some have been long promised. But it is taking too long - we need to act now.'