THE GOVERNMENT’S plan to make criminals out of teachers who engage in sexual relationships with students aged 16 to 18 is repressive and unnecessary, warn teachers’ leaders. The new offence aims to stop teachers and other adults abusing the trust of those in their charge who are over the age of 16, the proposed new common age of consent for all sexual relationships. MPs voted on Monday to lower the age of consent for gay sex from 18 to 16.