Concerned father Michael Doherty from Suffolk made the bold decision to pull his daughter out of primary school for what he considered to be grossly inappropriate sex education lessons. He felt that his class was not appropriate for children his age and wanted to protect his daughter from being exposed to her explicit material. This decision was not taken lightly as I felt I needed to act to protect my daughter’s innocence and well-being.
The teachings in question included topics such as orgasms and anal sex, which Doherty found shocking and disturbing. He was disappointed to learn that these courses were compulsory in British schools and that his daughter’s educational options were limited. When they contacted the school to review the materials, they were told they could not share details due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The lack of transparency added to his concerns as a parent.
Mr Doherty also learned that educational materials, including a controversial BBC-produced video, had been provided to the school by an external charity called the PSHE Association. This finding highlighted the importance of involving parents in the decision-making process regarding what is taught in class. Doherty believes parents should be consulted and have a say in what their children are exposed to at school.
The videos in question contained explicit content, including scenes of wet dreams, erections, and ejaculation. This concerned father considered this to be extremely inappropriate for his fourth grader, like his daughter Sophia. The video was eventually removed from the site, but Sophia’s teacher denied any sexual content in the class, saying sex education was not taught to her classmates. Mr. Doherty strongly believes that parental consent should be obtained before exposing children to such sensitive topics.
The videos in question contained explicit content, including scenes of wet dreams, erections, and ejaculation. This concerned father considered this to be extremely inappropriate for his fourth grader, like his daughter Sophia. The video was eventually removed from the site, but Sophia’s teacher denied any sexual content in the class, saying sex education was not taught to her classmates. Mr. Doherty strongly believes that parental consent should be obtained before exposing children to such sensitive topics.
Through persistence, Doherty was finally able to withdraw her daughter from school. Sofia is currently spending time with her family in Poland before attending another school. Homeschooling is also an option for Sophia’s parents, who want her to receive an education that aligns with their values.
It is essential to note that since September 2020, Relationships Education has become compulsory in primary schools, while Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is now mandatory in secondary schools. However, this has led to confusion among teachers seeking guidance on the subject, resulting in the use of materials from charities with unconventional views on biological gaps. Mr. Doherty considers the teaching of PSHE and RSE as a “sausage factory,” emphasizing the need for schools to be a safe place for education and to trust the judgment of their leaders.
The Ministry of Education took note of reports of inappropriate teaching materials and began an urgent review of the curriculum. We are also considering the possibility of introducing age-based evaluation to ensure the appropriateness of teaching materials. Furthermore, the Minister of Education emphasized the right of parents to access educational materials and clarified that the Copyright Act does not prohibit parents from accessing external resources located on the premises of the “school”.
Thurston Church of England Primary Academy, where Sophia attended, said its PSHE curriculum complies with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance. The school follows a government-funded and quality-assured PSHE curriculum to ensure it meets all legal requirements. They also confirmed that the BBC’s Bitesize video has been removed and that the educational materials will be reviewed.
In conclusion, Mr Doherty’s decision to withdraw his daughter from the school was motivated by concerns about the inappropriateness of the sex education class. He strongly believes that parents should have a say in their children’s education and be aware of what is taught in school. The incident sparked a broader debate about the need for transparency, parental involvement and age-appropriate education in school curricula. This is a reminder that the safety and well-being of children must always be our top priority.
