RSE Secondary in Oxford - Is this all taught??

[Abmaj]

Hi,

I just requested the policy on RSE for my daughter's school in Oxford and I've been taken aback by the explicitness of some of the content.....subjects and issues I as a parent want to talk through with her and not leave it to a teacher.

In year 7 they will teach about

• "exploring your body" and


• "masturbation."


• "People can choose to delay sex or enjoy intimacy with someone without sex."


• "Masturbation and pornography"


• ""Pleasure and orgasms"


• "Sex in different relationships


• "not all sex is the same"


• "sex toys"

I know there are broad views on this and some parents will be for and some against. I am of the view that these are matters for me as a parent to address and not for the government or school. But also, I am concerned whether this curriculum is extending beyond what the DFE minimally requires.

Any advice on what to do?

I would not be happy with that.

Are they taught in mixed sex classes? I would have been very uncomfortable if so at that age!

sorry not sure what to suggest but will be watching replies with interest!

It is a mixed sex school but their RSE policy states there may some single gender teaching. I can't confirm which of these topics are taught in mixed settings and which aren't.

You can request more information from the school on how they’ll be taught, e.g. which are in mixed settings, and to see what materials they’ll use. I don’t know whether schools have to give out this information, but I know my school does on request (I’m a teacher but not in PSHE/SRE).

As a parent, you can also address these topics with your DD before they come up in class, and make sure she knows you’re open to her asking you about what she gets told at school. Personally I’m of the opinion that these things should be taught at school, because otherwise some teenagers wouldn’t learn about them at all or would only “learn” from porn. But that doesn’t mean you can’t preempt these topics with your DC and give them your own views.