A SENIOR sex education slide ended up in a primary lesson plan by mistake, a school has admitted.

Argyll and Bute Council and Hermitage Primary apologised for the error that saw secondary school level content shown to a primary 6 class.

A parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser the content was about oral sex and other sexual intercourse.

They said: "It was clearly a mistake and it was admitted it was a mistake. It's a bad mistake to make.

"It's a bit worrying. Parents are up in arms."

Lessons are meant to be age appropriate. Council officials admitted the error.

A council spokesperson said: “We understand that the school has issued an apology to parents and carers regarding the incident. We would also like to issue an apology for any distress caused.

"Relationship, sexual health and parenthood lessons are delivered based on different learning levels, and are part of the Scottish Curriculum Guidance.

"On this occasion, one slide aimed towards older children was included, by mistake in the lesson to our primary school children.

"Following our own investigation and working with the school, a number of measures are now in place to make sure children have appropriate support and that this does not happen again.”

Proposals made for English schools before the election was called included new but contradictory age limits for sexual health topics.

Although Ofcom says nearly a quarter of UK five-to-seven-year-olds have a smart phone, the risks around sexual harassment, pornography, and sharing of intimate photos without consent wouldn't be covered until secondary school.

Sexual violence would not be discussed until two years later.

Children's charity the NSPCC and others said children should feel empowered to "recognise when something isn't right and seek help when it's needed".

The charity said: "Education is one of our strongest levers for preventing child abuse."

Other organisations concerned about exploitation also warned about "proposals to delay sex education".