Sex Ed?

[TopsyRK]

Having read the Mumsnet sex education survey which I found very interesting I am just wondering how many people know what is being taught to their children during SRE/PSHEE etc.

Because we all get those sign here letters but how many of us ask what is being covered?

Chris

[Ladymuck]

I asked to see the DVDs. But I was the only parent that year to do so, and did get the inevitable comment from the school receptionist of " did you learn anything new your lady ship?"

Have to say that I felt everything is being taught about 2 years earlier than when I was at school.

[cory]

Same as with any subject: I get a fair idea of what is being taught from dd and none at all from ds.

Actually, that is unfair: even from ds I can tell that he is being taught useful things, just by the way he discusses things that happen around us or what he sees in films. As for deliberately telling me anything he is still at the Yr 1 stage:

"What did you do at school today, love? "

"Nothing"

[pointythings]

DD hasn't had any sex ed at secondary yet, she had the talk about periods and puberty in Yr5 and that's been it so far. On that occasion the school were very thorough about letting us know exactly what would be covered and fortunately DD was happy to discuss it with me and show me the booklet they got. Which was quite good, except the bit about how all period pain could be cured by the application of a hot water bottle .

DD is 12 now and still talks to me about what's happening to her - she's been having some cramps so thinks her period might be on the way, she's happy to keep me updated. I think girls talk more readily about this stuff than boys anyway.

[ISingSoprano]

Our schools have always had a parents meeting before doing any sex education topics in order to explain to parents exactly what and how they will be teaching. This is at both primary and secondary stages.

[lainiekazan]

Ds (14) had sex ed yesterday. He told me it was about "knowing when to stop with somebody".

He was constructing a depiction of Les Miserables in Lego figures at the time.

I really wish they would stream for sex education. Ds is definitely in the bottom set!

[lainiekazan]

On a serious note, ds is an August-born boy. The difference between summer boys and September girls is not just huge, but very often a chasm.

I know they can't go down the line and say "You - you look old, you can learn about this. that and the other; You - next year for you" etc etc, but a lot of the material is delivered too early to be digested, let alone remembered, for many of the pupils.

[Theas18]

lainiekazan I hear what you are saying. Maybe the messages need to be repeated often from when they are " far to young" so that they gradually get their heads round them and are on the ball by the time they need them? Your lad is clearly young for 14, but pregnant 14yr olds aren't that rare in schools.

DD2 started her periods in the summer between primary and secondary. she was on the ball and had a big sister so no problem, but by the time they finally got " the period talk" at secondary (year 8 IIRC) she could have given the flipping talk, as could about half the class I'd guess.

[lainiekazan]

Ii agree about periods. No period talk for me at school (70s) and I was very confused/troubled by the whole thing which was Not Good. Same with puberty in general.

We did get the Sex Talk in the Upper Sixth. From the spinster RE teacher. Talk about shutting the stable door...

[TopsyRK]

All too often school just do enough to tick boxes for the Ofsted reprot and thats it, very few offer a detailed and continual SRE program because they dont have too by law.
Parents often are not fully informed of what is being taught during SRE sessions.

Chris

[Lancelottie]

I could probably give the Yr 5 talk myself by now (on third child here).

The older children are at different schools. School A does it thoroughly, frequently and imaginatively, as far as i can tell from the gems DS1 brings out at utterly inappropriate moments. School B does at least enough to embarrass DS2.

[prettybird]

Glasgow's Sex Education is called SHRE (Sexual Health and Relationships Education), runs from 3-16+, covers much more than just sex (relationships, bullying, internet safety, society's presentation of women).

Before it was introduced in ds' primary school (which, along with the neighboroughing school, were the last two to have it formally introduced although the school already did good work for itself as the council were worried about the sensitivities 'cos of the high proportion of ethnic minorities and in particular, the number of muslims), we had a workshop when they went through it and also let us see the teachers' materials for the whole "course".

It's just a shame that the (state) catholic schools opt out of it, as it is an excellent programme, with respect at the core.