A Government report has recommended that classes provided by a pioneering Bradford education project should be rolled out nationwide.

Since 1989, Life Education has made about 250,000 visits to schools in the district to deliver lessons on drug misuse, health and relationships to pupils aged four and above.

Once a year, children attend classes which introduce them to the topics in state-of-the-art mobile classrooms. About 35,000 youngsters benefit from the programme each year.

Since starting in the city in 1989, Life Education has gone on to establish about 40 other programmes around the country.

Today, Schools Minister Jim Knight said: “Modern life is increasingly complex and we have a duty to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with it. It’s vital that this information does not come from playground rumour or the mixed messages from the media about sex.”

Life Education tutor Finola Hingston, who is stationed at Thornton Primary School this week, said: “The idea is to give primary school children an introduction into how their bodies work and how fantastic they are. “The language we use is depersonalised and we ask lots of open questions so the children themselves can explore issues.”

Sam Preston, Education Bradford strategy manager, said: “The children do cover relationships and risk- taking but the programme is not one that focuses on sex and relationship education.”

Thornton Primary head teacher Adrian Cogill said: “The children look forward to the classes year after year. They provide depth to what we do at the school. The lessons are very much based on everyday life and are very appropriately targeted.”