Guernsey's schools adapting to global trend of earlier puberty

Sunday 27 October 2024

Changes are starting to be made in Guernsey's schools in recognition of the fact that girls are entering puberty earlier than ever before.

The Education, Sport, and Culture President made the acknowledgment during this month's States Meeting after being questioned on the matter by Deputy Victoria Oliver.

She had raised concerns about a lack of facilities such as changing rooms for girls aged between 7 and 11 years old. 

"Girls nowadays are actually developing earlier than they used to," she said, "and in the primary schools, there's very few facilities for changing rooms or anything and they have sports three times a week and they start to get a little bit embarrassed."

She said one of her children recently asked her why there are male and female toilets and changing facilities everywhere else you go, but not in schools.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen thanked Deputy Oliver for raising the issue saying she is also aware of it and said that it is being "dealt with operationally in at least one particular school".

Deputy Dudley-Owen went on to confirm that she is also aware of global evidence that shows children are entering puberty earlier than ever before - with young girls potentially starting to menstruate as young as eight years old.

"It is something that we need to be cognisant of, in terms of how we are also delivering PSHCE as well and with working with our Share nurses, and also the facilities that we're providing our juniors in primary schools."

Early or delayed puberty

The NHS says the average age for girls to start puberty is 11, while for boys the average age is 12, but it is also "perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys".

100 years ago, the average age for starting puberty was 14 for girls. 

This change has been attributed to various factors including nutrition and lifestyle as well as economic factors and genetics, although no known cause has yet been determined. 

While there is not usually any need to worry if a child does not start puberty around the current average age, the NHS does say it is a good idea to speak to your GP for advice if it starts before 8 or has not started by around 14.

It also says that in some cases, early puberty or delayed puberty are a sign of an underlying condition that may need to be treated.

Signs of early puberty include girls starting their periods before the age of 8.

In Guernsey, an 8-year-old child would usually be in Year 3 or 4 at school meaning they are a Junior, as Deputy Oliver referenced in her question to Deputy Dudley-Owen.