Teacher pulls ‘graphic’ sex education book for Year 2’s after parents’ fury | UK | News

A Birmingham headmaster has withdrawn a controversial book slated for use in lessons with Year 2 pupils, following outrage from parents over “graphic” images of sexual positions. Parents at Little Sutton Primary School in Worcester Lane, Sutton Coldfield, discovered the book ‘Mummy Laid an Egg’ by Babette Cole listed as part of their six year olds’ reading material. One mother familiar with its contents alerted others to the situation.

The concerned guardians objected that the book depicted ‘graphic’ illustrations of sexual positions, deeming it unsuitable for such young learners. The contentious book offers explanations and visual depictions of sex, using cartoon-style graphics that include skateboards, balloons, and a Space Hopper in an attempt to demonstrate how ‘mummies and daddies fit together’.

However, parents were aggrieved by the lack of consultation on the forthcoming lessons and the choice to withdraw their children from them – despite current guidelines on relationship, sex, and health education advising this option should be available, reports Birmingham Live. There was additional worry given that preliminary advice from the Conservative Party last year, leading up to the General Election, also recommended against teaching sex education to children under Year 5. Despite being proposed, these draft guidelines have not been formally implemented.

One father, whose six year old daughter is enrolled in Year 2 at the school, expressed he was ‘more than fuming’ over the issue. He stated: “The mums are in a WhatsApp group and one said there was an emailed newsletter from the school explaining what was going to be taught – the books they were going to interact with. One of the books was Mummy Laid an Egg by Babette Cole. There are images in the book where the characters have sex on skateboards and a bouncy hopper.

“It shows images with male and female genitals. I’m absolutely disgusted.” He went on to say: “I understand they have to teach certain thing at certain ages. But even my ten-year-old daughter, I don’t want her to be taught that. Telling six-year-olds how to have sex and make a baby? Lots of kids want a brother or sister. And showing different positions. It’s against the law to show these images. I rang the police about it. You can’t talk to children about genitalia or baby making until year 5. So nine and ten-year-olds. My daughter is in Year 2. Even the school has now realised and pulled it. But the book has been in the school for a significant amount of time.”

The father revealed that parents had also been cautioned not to discuss the matter amongst themselves over WhatsApp or via email. He said ‘the majority were disgusted’.

He alleged that the book was chosen by the school and was not part of the curriculum set by the local authority. “Stay updated with the latest Sutton Coldfield news delivered straight to your inbox. Dr Rita Kaur, the headteacher of Little Sutton Primary, responded to parental concerns by stating in a communication: “Thank you to the parents for bringing to my attention one of the year 2 books.”

Acknowledging the importance of pupil wellbeing and safeguarding, she declared her highest commitment to these priorities. With this in mind, she made an executive decision, stating: “As a result I have taken the decision to remove both the text and the author with immediate effect. This has been updated in the curriculum newsletter.”

She further committed to ensuring the quality of educational material by adding: “I will also be reviewing the class novels in Year 2 to ensure the highest quality texts are shared and match the Year 2 curriculum objectives.” Kaur assured that the removed material had not been part of lessons: “Please be reassured the book has not been shared and has been removed from the classroom.”

She encouraged open communication regarding any future concerns: “If in the future there are any concerns, please feel free to speak to the class teacher or myself in the first instance.” Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council, which oversees the school, acknowledged the issue via a spokesperson: “We are aware of the concerns raised by a parent regarding our curriculum for Year 2.”

The council confirmed that the school is adjusting its approach: “Little Sutton Primary School has listened to the concerns of parents and is reviewing its processes for selecting and communicating educational materials. Going forward, parents will be more fully informed and consulted where relevant on teaching resources.

The spokesman concluded with words of assurance: “We thank parents for raising their concerns and assure them that the school and Birmingham City Council take these matters seriously and are taking action to address them.”