Protest leaflets claim relationship education teaches primary school children masturbation

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Leaflets claiming that relationship education lessons will encourage primary school pupils to masturbate have been distributed in east London, reports suggest. open image in gallery Letter handed out by campaigners in Newham The government wants primary schools to teach about different kinds of families – including same-sex relationships – but it said it will be for individual schools to decide what is “age appropriate.” Unions and headteachers have criticised the Department for Education for not making guidance on the topic clearer and they have called for stronger support for teaching diversity. One of the schools at the centre of a row over equality lessons – Anderton Park Primary School – has reported “homophobic” footage and far-right “Islamophobic” mail to the police. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told The Independent: “This is another example of wilful misinformation being targeted at schools.” He added: “It hasn’t been helped by comments from the Department which said it is ultimately down to each school to interpret the guidance.” A DfE spokesperson said: “We want pupils growing up in the 21st century to understand the world around them and know what positive and safe relationships of all kinds look like, which is why we are making relationships education compulsory.