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Life to the Full Primary: Key Decisions and Parental Right to Withdraw

Overview

Some schools ask which Life to the Full Primary lessons require a school-level decision about whether, when, or how they are taught, and which lessons parents may withdraw their children from.

In Life to the Full Primary, these areas are referred to as Key Decisions. They are non-statutory and/or sensitive topics that schools should consider carefully in consultation with parents, governors and SLT.

This article also explains how these Key Decisions relate to the parental right to withdraw.

What are Key Decisions?

Key Decisions are areas of the Life to the Full Primary programme where schools are encouraged to make a particular decision about the content. This may include:

  • whether the session is taught
  • when the session is taught
  • which version of a session is used
  • how parents are consulted
  • whether additional preparation or communication is needed

Not all Key Decisions relate to parental withdrawal. Some relate to statutory Relationships Education or Health Education, while others concern sensitive or optional content.

List of Key Decision lessons

Key Decision #1: Genitalia

KS1 – Module 1, Unit 2, Session 3: Girls and Boys

There are two versions of this session: one that names genitalia and one that does not. Schools should decide which version is most appropriate for their context.

Key Decision #2: Puberty

LKS2 – Module 1, Unit 2: What is Puberty? and Changing Bodies

These sessions are recommended for Year 4+, but schools should decide the most appropriate timing for their pupils.

Puberty is part of Health Education, so the parental right to withdraw does not apply.

Key Decision #3: Life Cycles

LKS2 – Module 1, Unit 4, Session 1: Life Cycles

This session discusses the human reproductive system but does not discuss sexual intercourse.

Key Decision #4: Talking About Pornography

UKS2 – Module 1, Unit 3, Session 4: Seeing Stuff Online

This session addresses the risks children may face from seeing explicit images and videos online. It is primarily linked to online safety, though schools may wish to communicate carefully with parents because of the sensitive nature of the topic.

Key Decision #5: Talking About Sex

UKS2 – Module 1, Unit 4, Session 2: Making Babies Part 2

This session includes teaching about sexual intercourse and is the clearest area of non-statutory sex education in the primary programme.

Parents in England may request withdrawal from this session.

Key Decision #6: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 – Module 2, Unit 4: Keeping Safe

Teaching on FGM is optional at primary level and should be considered carefully according to the age, stage and risk level of the children.

Key Decision #7: Protected Characteristics concerning sex

UKS2 – Module 2, Unit 2, Session 4: Build Others Up

This resource is intended for Year 6. The Key Decision relates particularly to scenarios concerning discrimination or bullying linked to sex and/or sexual orientation.

Which lessons can parents withdraw their children from?

In England, parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education, but not from statutory Relationships Education or Health Education.

For Life to the Full Primary, the clearest area of non-statutory sex education is:

Key Decision #5: UKS2 – Making Babies Part 2

Parents in England may request withdrawal from this session.

The other Key Decisions do not all fall under parental withdrawal in the same way. Some relate to statutory Relationships or Health Education, while others are sensitive or optional areas where schools should make a careful decision about timing, suitability, consultation, or which version of a session to use.

In Wales, parents do not have a legal right to withdraw their children from statutory Relationships and Sexuality Education.

Where can schools find further guidance?

Schools can find full guidance in the Programme Coordinator Manual, especially the sections on:

  • Key Decisions
  • Parental Withdrawal / Right to Withdraw
  • Parent Consultation
  • Online Parent Portal

Schools may also find it helpful to use the Parent Consultation Tool and Online Parent Portal to support transparent communication with parents and carers.