CHAIRMAN of Wirral's education committee, former Spinner Mick Groves, has stressed that it is up to teachers, governors and parents to decide if primary schools use the new sex education packs.

Children as young as five in Wirral schools can be shown explicit drawings of naked men and women as part of a controversial sex education pack.

Wirral Conservative's education spokesman, Councillor Jeff Green, warns that instead of protecting children and their innocence, Wirral's education department is instructing teachers to teach sexual matters so explicit 'that most adults would be disgusted'.

Both the Healthwise advisory service and Labour education chairman Coun Mick Groves insist that the education packs only go out to the schools which ask for them. "Then, only after the approval of parents and governors, it is up to the schools to decide if they want to use the packs or not," said Coun Groves. He stressed the council was not telling schools what they can and cannot teach children about sex.

The packs are designed in key stages for five-to-seven-year-olds and seven-to-11-year-olds.

There is no information on how many schools are using the controversial packs. It is up to parents to check with headteachers. The Globe would be interested to hear parents' views - please write to the editor.

Local health workers who launched a Love Bus to promote sexual health to young people in Wirral are in for a national award, it was announced yesterday. The initiative by Wirral Brook Advisory Centre was partly funded with Lottery cash and has been shortlisted for the Durex-sponsored Innovation in Sexual Health Awards. The Love Bus drives round promoting sexual health.

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