A school plans to teach children as young as seven about drugs.

St Luke’s Primary School in Queen’s Park Rise, Brighton, has written to parents about plans for drugs education classes.

Children will be told: “Not all drugs are medicines.”

In a letter to parents, the school said: “The aims of this programme are to meet the National Curriculum requirements ‘children should learn that alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can have harmful effects’.”

The letter continued: “I am writing to let you know that year three classes will start their programme of drugs education this term “The topics will include an assessment of prior knowledge, an investigation into attitudes and views related to drugs and medicines and healthy and unhealthy lifestyles, information to dispel myths and misconceptions, to understand that not all drugs are medicines, potential risks and reasons for use and safety rules at home and at school (and) skills and influences – an investigation into who or what influences us and what strategies we need to assess risks and make informed choices.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “The council works with schools in an advisory capacity to develop age-appropriate drugs and alcohol education that prevents and minimises harm from substance misuse. It is up to individual schools to determine the detail of how this subject is taught.

“In year three we recommend that schools get pupils to focus on keeping healthy, being assertive and the possible risks to health of caffeine, medicine used in the wrong way and smoking.

“It’s not about illegal drugs.

“Drugs and alcohol education is about teaching children and young people how to stay safe and healthy and to manage risks.

“In its most recent inspection report Ofsted was glowing in its praise for St Luke’s PSHE teaching.

“We are very confident that the school’s work in this area is responsible and meets the needs of children within a planned programme of personal, social and health education.”