Teachers told: sex at 13 is 'normal growing up'

Schools in Britain are being told that children should be able to have consensual sex at the age of 13.

Guidelines - which can be used as part of sex education lessons - say that having sexual relationships in one's teens represents a "safe and healthy" part of growing up. The guidelines have been drawn up by a national charity and endorsed by the Department for Education to improve standards of advice given to pupils.

The so-called "traffic-light tool" lists green, amber and red behaviours that teachers and other professionals should spot among school-age children.

So-called "green behaviours" for children aged nine to 13 include "solitary masturbation" and "use of sexual language".

Green behaviours for 13- to 17-year-olds include "having sexual or non-sexual relationships", "sexual activity, including hugging, kissing, holding hands", "interest in erotica/pornography", "use of internet/ e-media to chat online" and "consenting oral and/or penetrative sex with others of the same or opposite gender who are of similar age and developmental ability".

It also emphasises that "choosing not to be sexually active" is a normal part of growing up.

Sarah Carter, trustee of the Family Education Trust, told the Commons Education Select Committee that the guidance was illegal: "The law states that a young person should wait until they are 16 at least."

The Department for Education insisted the guide was "not intended for use in planning sex and relationships lessons".

Joe Hayman, CEO of the Personal Social Health and Economic Education Association, told the select committee that no teacher actively believed children aged 13 should be sexually active, but, he added: "We've got to deal with children's realities."