Five-year-old children should have sex education according to Government guidelines

The Department for Children says new primary school pupils should be encouraged to ask about sex, while seven year olds will learn about domestic violence.

The Government has dismissed claims that early sex education encourages sexual activity. Faith schools would also have to provide the classes. Sex education will be covered as part of classes that will become mandatory in 2011.

But Margaret Morrissey, of

Parents OutLoud, said: “We have been overloading children with information on sex for years and it hasn’t stopped record numbers getting pregnant and diseases.”