- Michael Doherty discovered explicit teaching materials in his daughter’s primary school’s Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) classes, which he objected to on religious grounds, but was denied the option to withdraw her.
- The school used third-party resources and showed a BBC video with sexual content to nine-year-olds, raising concerns about the over-sexualisation of children and lack of transparency in the curriculum.
Michael Doherty, 50, from Suffolk, expressed dismay upon finally gaining access to teaching materials meant for his nine-year-old daughter at Thurston Primary School. The materials contained questionable and explicit content for controversial Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) classes, which became mandatory three years ago.
Doherty said, ‘It’s all very bizarre. It’s oversexualisation of children.’
The school showed secretive lesson plans to Mr. Doherty, revealing that schoolchildren were being taught about explicit topics prior to reaching puberty. When he requested to remove his daughter from the class on religious grounds, he was denied, being told that all children must receive this content, covering topics such as friendships and safety.
Mr Doherty objected to a BBC Bitesize video shown to his daughter, depicting sexual content, which was later removed after his complaint. He highlighted concerns about third-party organisations, such as the PSHE Association, providing teaching resources to schools, sometimes harbouring unconventional views on biological sex and sharing materials referencing underage sex.
According to Mr. Doherty, the headmaster, the CEO, and the class’s teacher collectively asserted that the video was deemed ‘appropriate’ for a child of nine years to view.
Mr. Doherty further stated that the teachers informed him that an external charitable organization, the PSHE Association, had furnished them with instructional materials for the class. Expressing his concerns, he remarked, “Children are exiting schools lacking basic literacy skills, yet they are exposed to this material. As a parent, it profoundly troubles me. The video is exceedingly peculiar and repulsive; it exudes a palpable sense of malevolence and unpleasantness.”
“I am resolutely opposed to my child witnessing such an abhorrent, repugnant video being disseminated in primary schools,” he added. Mr. Doherty expressed a sense of vindication, stating that the BBC had withdrawn the video from their website.
Illustration: Michael and Sophia with her two brothers
‘I feel as a parent they were quite hostile to me. You’re treated like some sort of prude. But I think you need to speak up.’ Mr Doherty said.
Illustration: Primary school teachers stating that they would be conducting lessons on Relationships and Sex Education.
Illustration: The statement asserts that parents possess the prerogative to withdraw their child from sex education. However, Sophia’s educators concluded that the subject matter being imparted to her did not fall within the realm of sex education.
Illustration: In a missive addressed to Mr. Doherty, the headteacher posited that the school adhered to the national curriculum guidelines for Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education, specifically pertaining to relationships. Nonetheless, it should be noted that no such established national curriculum on this subject actually exists.
The UK’s Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced a delay in releasing guidance for schools regarding gender questioning children, citing the sensitive nature of the issue and the need for thorough consideration and consultation with stakeholders.
The government has initiated an urgent review of the curriculum and aims to introduce age ratings for teaching materials to ensure appropriateness. Parents have the right to view teaching materials, and copyright law doesn’t prevent them from accessing external resources on school premises.
