Father Withdraws Daughter from School Over Controversial s*x Education Lessons
A Suffolk father has withdrawn his daughter from her primary school after discovering what he described as highly inappropriate s*x education content being taught to young children.
Concerns Over Explicit Material
Michael Doherty raised alarm after learning that lessons in his daughter Sofia’s fourth-grade class reportedly covered topics including orgasms and anal s*x.
When he sought clarity from the school, he was told the materials could not be shared due to coronavirus restrictions, leaving him frustrated and concerned.
Further investigation revealed that the school had relied on external resources from the PSHE Association, including a BBC-produced video. The video reportedly featured explicit depictions of wet dreams, erections, and ejaculation. While the school later removed the video from its website, Doherty was assured that the content had not been shown to his daughter’s class.
Parental Rights and Transparency
Doherty criticized the school for a perceived lack of transparency and described being treated as overly conservative: “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.” He emphasized that parents should have a say in when and how children are exposed to sensitive topics.
Following his concerns, Doherty withdrew Sofia from the school. She is currently spending time with family in Poland, and options including a new school or homeschooling are being considered to ensure her education aligns with family values.
Background
Since September 2020, Relationships Education has been compulsory in primary schools in England, with Relationships and s*x Education (RSE) mandatory for secondary students.
The guidance has left some teachers uncertain, leading to the use of external resources that may not align with all parents’ expectations. Doherty described the system as a “sausage factory” and stressed that schools must balance comprehensive education with parental input.
Conclusion
Michael Doherty’s decision underscores ongoing debates about age-appropriate s*x education, parental rights, and school transparency. While RSE aims to provide children with essential knowledge, cases like this highlight the importance of communication between schools and families to ensure lessons are delivered safely and respectfully.