Primary mixed sex ed classes

[Pomtoo]

I have twin DDs age 9 in year 5 at school. They will start to learn about puberty in school very soon and we have been told that the girls and boys will be taught together for this subject. I was OK with this but our class WhatsApp group has now erupted and parents aren’t happy that they are being taught together. Given some of the points being put across I’m now changing my view a little and wonder what others opinions are?
Parents in the group agree boys should learn about girls changes and girls should learn about boys, but just not in as much detail. And therefore should be taught separately so they feel comfortable discussing their own bodies and changes without having the opposite sex there. If worth noting, there are no trans identifying parents or kids in the class.
Just wanted to open up a discussion on peoples views on this if anyone wants to share?
TIA

Err, isn't it better that they are taught everything together and both boy and girls have equal knowledge of each other's bodies.

Or do parents want their boys to be like the mp, who during the debate about vat on sanitary products asked "why can't they wear tights like my wife?"

it's a bit dark ages surely to divide kids like that?

Honestly with the lack of knowledge men and boys have about women’s bodies I think it’s actually incredibly important they don’t just get an ‘overview’ of it. Most of these boys will be friends, husbands, fathers, uncles to girls and the stigma needs to be taken away. Give children an option outside of the lesson to discuss any worries they have etc but no, I don’t think they should be taught separately.

I Remember in my Primary School, we did have a whole class discussion about sex, but then went off separately and had female Teacher with girls, male Teacher with boys etc to talk about the different changes in the respective bodies. They should offer both to avoid any embarrassment. It's going to be awkward enough otherwise!

I'm pleased so many people have said to trust the teachers. It really is arrogant to assume you definitely know better (parents on the group up in arms) than people who have taught this potentially a dozen or more times before and actually given it a lot of thought over the years.

A lot of posters are assuming that splitting sexes means that different content is taught: it doesn't.

We separate the girls and boys for Sex Ed in Y6. They learn the exact same content but we found that they felt able to be more open with their contributions and questions when taught separately. The children, and our parents, have always been very happy with that arrangement.

Yes I think this is the point

You should be able to request the content of the lessons to view beforehand (our school just sent them), it was all very basic stuff and they learned it together. It was done like any other lesson and the children seemed happy and comfortable after, they were provided with little cards to pass to the teacher to signal if they wanted to talk privately.

Kids won't be asked to give personal contributions regardless, it will be all just be taught as a matter of facts.

If that have personal questions that they are uncomfortable asking then they should talk to a parent/other adult/teacher outside of lesson time.

I think it's fine to teach sex ed to a mixed group. Honestly, it's highly unlikely that the children will ask questions or speak about their own bodies/experiences anyway. You're their parent and you can ask about what they were taught and answer any questions they might have. Sex ed is always a bit uncomfortable (have taught sexual health to teens myself) and there will always be a bit of giggly/embarrassed behaviour. A good teacher can deal with this. I think you're overthinking it and there will always be parents who moan about this stuff on WhatsApp groups, but it really is the norm that it's taught in mixed sex groups.

Honestly, it's highly unlikely that the children will ask questions or speak about their own bodies/experiences anyway.

Not my experience at all. I've taught Sex Ed every year for the last 12 years and the children have always asked questions (both openly and through the question box) and some are not shy at all about sharing their own experiences/thoughts/worries with the group if they feel comfortable.

It was taught mixed sex 14 years ago