My sons school showed him a video without my permission!

[snookhams]

My ten year old son (in Y5) met me for lunch today and told me that this morning he had watched a video about Puberty! - I was a little concerned and asked why we weren't told in advance and apparantly the letters where sent out last Thursday when my son was representing the school and borough at the Heathrow Youth Games, and no one checked to see if my permission had been given and just let him watch it anyway. Now I probably would have said it was OK, cause if he hadn't watched it with the others by break time he would have known what it was about anyway but the point is I might have had a valid reason why I didnot want him to watch it but I was not given the opportunity to express this, my concern is if what else are they not checking if they are not making sure of things like this - when I complained to the office they said oh well he's watched it anyway - just as well I had no objection!, I am awaiting a reply from the Head, but am I making to much of this, it has mad me cross to think that they could just go ahead, I wouldn't mind but I work at the Church attached to the school and they could have phoned and asked my permission verbally....... I am seeing the teacher tomorrow at open day and shall mention it then.

 

[kazzie]

I wonder if it is sufficient to send an important letter home with childern this way when every parent knows they frequently go astray!

When my children were to be shown this video they showed it to parents one evening first,then we could discuss any concerns with the year 6 teachers who were present,I think that is a great way to allay any possible 'fears' a parent might have.

Perhaps your school could have made the letter a slip parents have to sign so that they could at least pick up on any parents who haven't responded,meaning they hadn't received it at all.You could suggest this?

I know sex and sexuality are a big 'thing' when it is your first child,but be assured the film handles the subject very well.

Perhaps though the school could have handled your concerns more supportively?

 

[UKDEB]

My understanding is that, at primary school level, sex education is not a compulsary part of the National Curriculum. It is up to individual schools to decide whether to provide it, although I imagine most do.

Of course you can withdraw your child from sex education, but I wonder whether the school is actually obliged to ask your permission, or whether the onus is on you. The school will have a written policy which will be made available to you if you ask.

I have had lots of gripes with school procedures and policies over the years, but only once have I actually raised a concern. I'm sure the matter was considered more respectfully than it would have been if I was constantly on the phone!

In this particular instance I think I would be asking myself what I was hoping to achieve. If you don't actually object and it's just a matter of principle, I would be inclined to let this one go.

 

[snookhams]

I spoke with the Headmaster this morning and expressed my concerns (his secretary had not even informed him that I had complained) he promised me that he would investigate it fully - I did express my concern at this being shown in year 5 and not in year 6 but even so I would have let Daniel watch it but would have been able to explain some things before hand had I known. He knows that he is Circumcised but it would have been a good opportunity for me to explain the reason (medical) and that he looks different to the other children - I also found out that some parents did object and they did not watch it so how did Daniel slip through the net. I have been assured that the head and teaching staff watched the video and felt that it was entirly appropriate and not to explicit.