Primary school children in England should be given basic sex education lessons, a government review is expected to conclude today.

It is likely to recommend a shake-up of lessons to combat concerns that current teaching of the subject is too patchy.

The schools minister, Jim Knight, who has been leading the review, is due to present its findings today, as well as the government's responses.

The review is expected to say that sex education should be compulsory in all schools.

This could include teaching young children the basics about the human body and relationships, with more detailed information being given as a child moves up through school.

Such moves are likely to be opposed by family campaigners and some critics argue that sex education in primary schools risks sexualising children at a younger age.

Last week, Knight told MPs he had received "strong recommendations" for making sex education compulsory in all schools. But he said it had to be done without "sexualising young people too early".

International evidence suggests that certain aspects of sex and relationship education taught before puberty has a "positive effect" on issues such as teenage pregnancy, Knight said.

Britain currently has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe, and figures suggest that rising numbers of young people are being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

Schoolchildren must currently be taught the biological facts of reproduction, which usually happens in science classes. Every school must have a sex education policy, but there is no statutory requirement for teaching about relationships, and the social and emotional side of sexual behaviour.
Campaign group the Family Education Trust argues there is no evidence that teenage pregnancy rates are reduced by starting sex education at an early age.

The government is also due to publish a second review on drugs education in schools today. It is expected to say that effective drug and alcohol education should be an entitlement for all children, and suggest that parents should be better informed.

A spokesman for Life Education, a children's health education charity said: "If we want to make a real and lasting difference to teenage drug and alcohol misuse, we must reach them early - at primary school.

The two reviews were announced last December as part of the Children's Plan.