Labour has voted down the Tories' amendment to allow parents to see sex ed resources in schools.

[2fallsfromSSA]

Schools minister Catherine McKinnell claims there's no evidence of a widespread problem.

This is utterly disgraceful, we know there are many issues with school RSE resources and there is no reason at all to stop parents knowing what their children are being taught in schools.

Not only are many materials politically motivated and biologically inaccurate, we been told by many distressed parents over the years - themselves the victims of CSA - that some school materials use the same language that their abusers did

Schools need to work in partnership with parents, not against them.

Catherine McKinnell responded to our thread by unfollowing us.

https://x.com/safeschoolsuk/status/1890126088166339041?s=46&t=wKQqSS_HYEY78hJQTlX9tJw

We gave evidence 2 years ago at the WESC, we have documented the issues, we have met with the Department for Education numerous times to share the concerns of parents and teachers.

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/2023/05/21/women-equalities-committee/

All schools in Cornwall use Jigsaw. It's full of stuff like that. There have been threads about Jigsaw on here before.

I know I rarely agree with people on here but there are issues with the bought in PSHE lessons.
I wouldn’t focus on this part alone though. The materials are often chaotic, inappropriate for age group, will cause more problems than they solve (looking at you Year 7 session on neurodiversity and disability that implied people with autism are barely functional!).
That said, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t carefully check and adapt their PSHE resources (somewhat ironically I have to as the slides are too busy and don’t work for me - autistic).
PSHE is a scandal really, but it’s much much wider than this would imply (although the discussions sometimes get close to the issue). Teachers are not really trained in PSHE/form tutoring (it’s better than my nothing 20 years ago but still nowhere near good enough). This is how we end up at the bought in materials. These will never really work as they’re not planned for a specific school/cohort. You then rely on teachers making sure they adapt in advance.
It’s a real issue in a whole lot of areas.
It goes deeper than asking to see the materials (which seems like an extension of all the companies who rip off schools protecting their trade). Teachers need to be trained properly in PSHE.

Scotland may be pushing some highly questionable bullshit in schools, but at least we are able to see all the materials!

Thanks for all your work, OP. This must be incredibly frustrating.

Youd think a government would want to keep parents concerned with children's safety on board.

GrammarTeacher ypu made some very good points and I think it boils down to politicians who passed the legislation but are too afraid to put the resources in to implememt the teaching of the subject as they dont want ownership of any of it let alone the mistakes which are happening

This is ongoing though. It’s been the case all through my career but it’s got worse as we have had to replace other services. When I started teaching Sex Ed was covered by the community nursing team but now it’s form tutors. We do get specialists in to do some drop down days (mainly First Aid related) but it’s resource dependent. PSHE is often given to whoever has space on their timetable at secondary, and I imagine at primary there’s little time to plan/review properly.
And then OFSTED come and tell you that your PSHE Association approved curriculum isn’t acceptable. It’s confusing. Under-resourced and teachers are under trained.

Disclaimer: I rarely agree with the majority on this forum BUT it does seem that some schools are using resources that aren’t age appropriate and in the hands of someone who is untrained or not experienced could cause strict gender roles to be reinforced - which as far as I can work out nobody on this board particularly wants!

I’m a sixth form tutor and have been for a while now. I’m familiar with our PSHE curriculum. Our in house stuff is fab but the bought in slides are awful and patronising. I use them as a launch pad. However, that’s because I’ve been in this year group team for nearly a decade. Not everyone is as experienced.

Our curriculum is fully viewable- to be honest I’m not sure about the bought in stuff as I haven’t had to deal with any requests.

could cause strict gender roles to be reinforce
In my example it was homophobia. Teaching the children that Hetero is 'the only' / the 'normal' and that F&F or M&M as an adult with drugs will change into F&M.

Our in house stuff is fab

That is a teacher writing a text book but not getting paid or controlling the copyright

but the bought in slides are awful and patronising. I use them as a launch pad.

Our curriculum is fully viewable- to be honest I’m not sure about the bought in stuff as I haven’t had to deal with any requests.

Thats a pre-purchase issue same as buying a tablet, computer or printer which has anti-compeditive type restrictions. The school should have a tender requirement that all materials can be accessed by parents. At least then the school is not expecting teachers to be the 'copyright enforcer' or fear litigation if a supplier decided to sue.

Nope, we are in Scotland and weren't allowed to (School of Sexuality Education brought in).

Holy fuck, that's ringing all sorts of alarm bells!

I thought all Scottish schools had to use the curriculum set by the SG?

Edit: And the right to see materials is laid out pretty clearly.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-delivery-relationships-sexual-health-parenthood-rshp-education-scottish-schools/pages/3/